The aim of this review was to analyze associations between HLA (human leukocyte antigens) alleles described thus far and an array of ophthalmologic disorders. Highly polymorphic HLA molecules play a crucial role in immunological response to various pathogens. Due to environmental pressures exerted mostly by infectious factors in the past, population frequencies of particular alleles differ greatly and modulate immunological response in various diseases. Associations between HLA alleles and over 500 pathologies, mainly autoimmune, infective and inflammatory diseases, have been previously described. In the course of certain HLA-related diseases described so far, eye manifestations are present. In this paper we review the structure, function and linkage between HLA antigens, ophthalmologic diseases and systemic disorders with eye involvement.

Keywords: Inflammation - pathology, HLA Antigens - metabolism, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Eye Diseases - genetics