Allergic and immunologic disorders of the eye. Part I: Immunology of the eye

Immuno-ophthalmology evolved during the 20th century as a subspecialty link ing ophthalmologists and immunologists. This emerging subspecialty has focu sed on the use of immunology to better understand and treat ocular disorder s. To help the allergist/clinical immunologist better appreciate the growin g field of immuno-ophthalmology, this 2-part review series (Part II: Ocular Allergy will appear in the December issue of the Journal) will provide an overview of the impact that immunology has had on our understanding and tre atment of allergic and immunologic eye diseases. The current review will fo cus on mechanisms by which mast cells, T cells, eosinophils, cytokines, and other inflammatory constituents contribute to the unique features of eye d isease and their link to allergic responses that occur in other organs of t he body.