2023-2024 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 09: Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation

Major Revision

Section 9 of the Academy’s Basic and Clinical Science Course™ (BCSC^®) discusses basic immunologic concepts, immunization and adaptive immunity, ocular immune responses and special topics in ocular immunology. The book covers various forms of uveitis and diagnostic considerations, as well as therapies for and complications of uveitis. Other topics discussed in Section 9 include scleritis, ocular involvement in HIV infection/AIDS, endophthalmitis and masquerade syndromes.

Section 9 of the BCSC includes a new subsection on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 (added to the chapter “Infectious Uveitis: Nonbacterial Causes”), a new table summarizing selected immunomodulatory medications used to treat noninfectious uveitis, and a new appendix (“Antimicrobial Agents for Intraocular Injection”).

Clinical Pearl boxes appear throughout the book, presenting information that can be quickly applied to clinical practice. Other sidebars emphasize key information. The book contains numerous new photos. Increase your understanding with seven videos (sample) and one interactive activity. Both print and eBook users have access to the videos.

Upon completion of Section 9, readers should be able to:

• Describe the immunologic and infectious mechanisms involved in the development of and complications from uveitis and related conditions, including AIDS
• Identify general and specific pathophysiologic processes in acute and chronic ocular inflammation that affect the structure and function of the uvea, lens, vitreous, retina, and other adjacent tissues
• Distinguish infectious from noninfectious uveitic entities
• State appropriate differential diagnoses for ocular inflammatory disorders and identify systemic associations or implications

Section chair: Wendy M. Smith, MD

Print: 424 pages