RARE DISEASE
Intermediate uveitis
Intermediate uveitis
Intermediate uveitis
Synonyms: IU
Synonyms: IU
Synonyms: IU
Drug discovery
4
drugs
With orphan designations
Overview
Intermediate Uveitis (IU) is chronic inflammation predominantly affecting the vitreous and peripheral retina, defined by Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) criteria. While often idiopathic, adult cases may associate with multiple sclerosis or sarcoidosis. Pediatric IU (15-33% of childhood uveitis) frequently presents bilaterally with risks of macular edema (36%) and cataracts. Symptoms include floaters, blurred vision, and photophobia. Treatment combines corticosteroids with immunomodulators, though recurrence rates remain high, emphasizing early intervention [1][4][7][17].
Therapies
Stepwise approach: periocular/intravitreal corticosteroids → systemic steroids → immunomodulators (methotrexate, mycophenolate) → biologics (adalimumab) [2][3][8]
Surgical interventions (vitrectomy, cataract extraction) for complications [2][7]
61–85% achieve inflammation control with immunomodulators; biologics reduce relapse risk [3][8][18]
Categories: rare ophthalmic disorders
Research Papers
695 drug discovery papers about Intermediate uveitis, with 2 first-in-class and 2 next-in-class emerging drug candidates forecasted to outperform the average preclinical success rate. Recent publications:
695 drug discovery papers about Intermediate uveitis, with 2 first-in-class and 2 next-in-class emerging drug candidates forecasted to outperform the average preclinical success rate. Recent publications:
2026-06-13 | Real-World Anatomical Outcomes of Suprachoroidal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injections in a Large Retinal Practice over a 4-Year Period.
To evaluate the clinical role, durability, anatomical response, and safety for suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide (SCTA) (Xipere) in routine clinical practice. Data were manually extracted from health records at a high-volume retina practice in Cleveland, Ohio. All patients with noninfectious inflammatory macular edema undergoing SCTA (≥1 billing code) between October 25, 2021, and July 17, 2025, were included. Patients with known systemic autoimmune or infectious associations were excluded. Unique eyes were defined by MRN + laterality, with "OU" entries split into OD/OS. Patient demographics, underlying diagnosis categorization, time between first and second injection (for eyes with ≥2 injections) were summarized. Pre- versus post-treatment central retinal thickness (CRT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were compared via paired t-tests. A total of 177 patients (195 eyes) received 340 SCTA injections for macular edema associated with an underlying diagnosis of intermediate uveitis (10%), pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (31%), and posterior uveitis (59%). The time between first and second injection was approximately 5 months [SD ± 72.5; median 144 (min 35, max 427)]. From baseline to follow-up, mean CRT decreased by 103 µm [95% CI: (-122,-83.2), P < 0.001], while IOP increased minimally [mean difference 0.7 mmHg, 95% CI: (-0.02, 1.43), P = 0.057]; and was medically managed when elevated. In this real-world cohort, findings suggest that SCTA achieves robust anatomical improvement, a favorable IOP profile, and prolonged durability across patients with inflammation-related macular edema.
2026-06-02 | Granulomatous Panuveitis Associated with Body Piercing
To report a case of bilateral granulomatous panuveitis temporally associated with a body piercing and to highlight a potential immune-mediated mechanism analogous to tattoo-associated uveitis. This case included comprehensive clinical evaluation, multimodal ophthalmic imaging, and laboratory testing for infectious and systemic autoimmune disease. Treatments included corticosteroids and immunomodulatory therapy. A 16-year-old female with no past medical or ocular history and no history of tattoos developed progressive bilateral vision loss shortly after navel piercing placement. Her visual acuity was 20/200 in the right eye and hand motion in the left eye. Examination revealed granulomatous keratic precipitates, posterior synechiae, cataracts, vitritis, and disc edema, consistent with bilateral granulomatous panuveitis. Optical coherence tomography revealed diffuse intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid, and bacillary detachment with a thick choroid. Fluorescein angiography showed disc leakage, macular leakage, and diffuse perivascular leakage. Intermediate-late-phase indocyanine green angiography demonstrated patchy hypofluorescent dark dots. Extensive infectious and systemic autoimmune work-up was negative. Her review of systems was negative. The patient achieved marked improvement and durable inflammation control with high doses of corticosteroids, methotrexate, and infliximab. We describe a case of bilateral granulomatous panuveitis temporally associated with a body piercing; however, causality cannot be established, and the proposed mechanism remains hypothesis-generating. Metal-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity or foreign body granulomatous inflammation, also implicated in tattoo-associated granulomatous uveitis, represents a plausible mechanism. Clinicians should inquire about recent tattoos or piercings when evaluating bilateral granulomatous uveitis of unclear origin, as early recognition and appropriate immunomodulatory therapy may prevent vision loss and morbidity.
2026-05-01 | Clinical profile, optical coherence tomography, and outcomes of uveitic macular edema at a tertiary eye care center in India
Abstract: AIM: To investigate the prevalence, optical coherence tomography (OCT) features, and visual outcomes in patients with uveitic macular edema (UME). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study conducted by a single uvea specialist at a tertiary eye care center in South. We analyzed UME cases at a tertiary eye care center between 2019 and 2024. Demographic data, OCT patterns, and edema thickness and visual acuity were analyzed. RESULTS: We analyzed UME cases at a tertiary eye care center between 2015 and 2019. The mean age was 42.20 ± 29.80 years. Females were more common than males (25:17). UME was found mostly in intermediate uveitis (33, 60%). Cystoid with neurosensory detachment (NSD) was the most common type (24, 42.9%), followed by the cystoid type (22, 39.3%). The mean follow-up duration was 3.75 months. UME thickness was 536.6 ± 375.8 μ before treatment, and posttreatment, it partially resolved to 372.9 ± 367 μ. After treatment, UME completely resolved in 22 (39.2%) cases, partially resolved in 24 (43.6%), remained unchanged in 6 (10.9%), and deteriorated in four (7.3%) eyes. The mean final best-corrected visual acuity was 0.41. A statistically significant difference was observed in the pre- and posttreatment visual acuity and macular edema thickness ( P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that UME is more common in females, occurs in middle age, and is more common in intermediate uveitis. Cystoid with NSD was the most common. Visual acuity improved with treatment in the majority of the cases. Disease-specific outcomes, investigative modalities, and treatment used are the factors influencing assessment and final visual outcome.
2026-06-13 | Real-World Anatomical Outcomes of Suprachoroidal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injections in a Large Retinal Practice over a 4-Year Period.
To evaluate the clinical role, durability, anatomical response, and safety for suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide (SCTA) (Xipere) in routine clinical practice. Data were manually extracted from health records at a high-volume retina practice in Cleveland, Ohio. All patients with noninfectious inflammatory macular edema undergoing SCTA (≥1 billing code) between October 25, 2021, and July 17, 2025, were included. Patients with known systemic autoimmune or infectious associations were excluded. Unique eyes were defined by MRN + laterality, with "OU" entries split into OD/OS. Patient demographics, underlying diagnosis categorization, time between first and second injection (for eyes with ≥2 injections) were summarized. Pre- versus post-treatment central retinal thickness (CRT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were compared via paired t-tests. A total of 177 patients (195 eyes) received 340 SCTA injections for macular edema associated with an underlying diagnosis of intermediate uveitis (10%), pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (31%), and posterior uveitis (59%). The time between first and second injection was approximately 5 months [SD ± 72.5; median 144 (min 35, max 427)]. From baseline to follow-up, mean CRT decreased by 103 µm [95% CI: (-122,-83.2), P < 0.001], while IOP increased minimally [mean difference 0.7 mmHg, 95% CI: (-0.02, 1.43), P = 0.057]; and was medically managed when elevated. In this real-world cohort, findings suggest that SCTA achieves robust anatomical improvement, a favorable IOP profile, and prolonged durability across patients with inflammation-related macular edema.
2026-06-02 | Granulomatous Panuveitis Associated with Body Piercing
To report a case of bilateral granulomatous panuveitis temporally associated with a body piercing and to highlight a potential immune-mediated mechanism analogous to tattoo-associated uveitis. This case included comprehensive clinical evaluation, multimodal ophthalmic imaging, and laboratory testing for infectious and systemic autoimmune disease. Treatments included corticosteroids and immunomodulatory therapy. A 16-year-old female with no past medical or ocular history and no history of tattoos developed progressive bilateral vision loss shortly after navel piercing placement. Her visual acuity was 20/200 in the right eye and hand motion in the left eye. Examination revealed granulomatous keratic precipitates, posterior synechiae, cataracts, vitritis, and disc edema, consistent with bilateral granulomatous panuveitis. Optical coherence tomography revealed diffuse intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid, and bacillary detachment with a thick choroid. Fluorescein angiography showed disc leakage, macular leakage, and diffuse perivascular leakage. Intermediate-late-phase indocyanine green angiography demonstrated patchy hypofluorescent dark dots. Extensive infectious and systemic autoimmune work-up was negative. Her review of systems was negative. The patient achieved marked improvement and durable inflammation control with high doses of corticosteroids, methotrexate, and infliximab. We describe a case of bilateral granulomatous panuveitis temporally associated with a body piercing; however, causality cannot be established, and the proposed mechanism remains hypothesis-generating. Metal-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity or foreign body granulomatous inflammation, also implicated in tattoo-associated granulomatous uveitis, represents a plausible mechanism. Clinicians should inquire about recent tattoos or piercings when evaluating bilateral granulomatous uveitis of unclear origin, as early recognition and appropriate immunomodulatory therapy may prevent vision loss and morbidity.
2026-05-01 | Clinical profile, optical coherence tomography, and outcomes of uveitic macular edema at a tertiary eye care center in India
Abstract: AIM: To investigate the prevalence, optical coherence tomography (OCT) features, and visual outcomes in patients with uveitic macular edema (UME). METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study conducted by a single uvea specialist at a tertiary eye care center in South. We analyzed UME cases at a tertiary eye care center between 2019 and 2024. Demographic data, OCT patterns, and edema thickness and visual acuity were analyzed. RESULTS: We analyzed UME cases at a tertiary eye care center between 2015 and 2019. The mean age was 42.20 ± 29.80 years. Females were more common than males (25:17). UME was found mostly in intermediate uveitis (33, 60%). Cystoid with neurosensory detachment (NSD) was the most common type (24, 42.9%), followed by the cystoid type (22, 39.3%). The mean follow-up duration was 3.75 months. UME thickness was 536.6 ± 375.8 μ before treatment, and posttreatment, it partially resolved to 372.9 ± 367 μ. After treatment, UME completely resolved in 22 (39.2%) cases, partially resolved in 24 (43.6%), remained unchanged in 6 (10.9%), and deteriorated in four (7.3%) eyes. The mean final best-corrected visual acuity was 0.41. A statistically significant difference was observed in the pre- and posttreatment visual acuity and macular edema thickness ( P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that UME is more common in females, occurs in middle age, and is more common in intermediate uveitis. Cystoid with NSD was the most common. Visual acuity improved with treatment in the majority of the cases. Disease-specific outcomes, investigative modalities, and treatment used are the factors influencing assessment and final visual outcome.
Access all drug discovery articles and probability of success in trials forecasts:
Access all drug discovery articles and probability of success in trials forecasts:
Drug Discovery Landscape
4 orphan drug designations for Intermediate uveitis.
4 orphan drug designations for Intermediate uveitis.
Drug | Therapy type | Regulator | Orphan designation | Approval | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
tabirafusp alfa | proteins | FDA | 2025-03-04 | — | Kodiak Sciences Inc. |
vamikibart | antibodies | FDA | 2022-08-15 | — | Genentech, Inc |
Secukinumab [Cosantix] | antibodies | EMA | 2010-02-02 | — | Novartis Europharm Limited |
Voclosporin [Luveniq] | small molecules | EMA | 2007-09-14 | — | [INACTIVE] Lux Biosciences GmbH |
Let's accelerate rare disease drug discovery
Let's accelerate drug discovery
Get access to Explority AI's forecasts to outperform average preclinical success rates. Whether you're expanding your R&D pipeline, evaluating a partnership, or simply have a question — we'd love to hear from you.