The knowlegde of the mechanisms of autoimmunity has led to the development of new therapeutic approaches. New COX-2 specific nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs have little side effects. This would allow a broader use of these drugs. Modern immunosuppressive agents like mycophenolate mofetil impair activation of T cells, whcih play a major role in ocular inflammation. Also monoclonal antibodies directed against CD3 or CD4 inhibit T helper cells. By inhibiting the de-novo synthesis of pyrimidine leflunomide acts as an immunosuppressant. The cytokine interferon-alpha effectively suppresses Behçet's uveitis, but the mode of action is still unknown. Inhibiting the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha with monoclonal antibodies or thalidomide has shown some paradoxical effects in models of ocular inflammation. Therefore it is not clear at present, whether this concept, which is effective in some arthritic disesase, can be transferred to ophthalmologic disorders.