The Uveitis Research and Clinical Unit has been under the direction of the direction of Dr. Jean Deschênes, MD, FRCSC since 1986.The unit has attracted clinicians and researchers from around the world. Our mission of consultation, education and research has evolved into training many ocular immunologists, uveitis sub-specialists and researchers in Canada, Europe, Central, North and South America, and the Middle East.
Research Themes
Our research and clinical unit is involved in the understanding of the immunology of uveitis, medical and surgical therapy of uveitis including clinical trials, newer treatment like biologics agents, and monoclonal antibodies.
Research Activity
The eye is an immunologically privileged site, and our researches have shown specific molecular mechanisms for this process. Our research is aimed at understanding why intraocular tolerance fails in uveitis, what immune mechanisms initiate and drive the inflammatory response. and what can we do about it.
Laboratory
Our studies of uveitis are currently addressing the roles of a number of potentially harmful immune cell subsets. For many years, we have been collecting fluid from the front of the eye of patients with uveitis and comparing them to the cells we find in their peripheral blood, as well the blood of healthy individuals.Â
We have published that the microenvironment in the eye suppresses the function of a key population of immune cells involved in the initiation of immune responses. We have also shown that the ocular fluids suppress the function of immuno-regulatory cells.
Clinical
We have several ongoing studies of novel approaches in the treatment of severe ocular inflammation and clinical trials for new therapies for intraocular inflammation and uveitis.
Useful links
Application for Fellowships (Research or Clinical)
Application for Medical Students
Email & Contact
jean.deschenes [at] mcgill.ca (Â鶹AV Uveitis-Ocular Immunology Research and Clinical Unit)
jean.deschenes [at] mcgill.ca (Jean Deschênes, MD, FRCSC, Principal investigator)
delpechisabelle [at] hotmail.com (Isabelle Delpech, RN,)
Coordonatrice de recherches/Research coordinator
Centre académique de santé de l’œil de Â鶹AV/Â鶹AV Academic Eye Centre
5252 Boul de Maisonneuve West, 4th floor
Montréal, Québec, H4A 3S5
Tel : (514)934-1934 ext :36814 (voice mail) or 40057
Fax : (514)843-1618
Pager (514)406-1905