Our research project aims to understand the factors that contribute to the development of uveitis, an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye that can cause blindness. We know that certain habits like smoking and drinking can increase the risk of uveitis, but we need to learn more about how these factors are linked to the disease and whether genetics plays a role.
To do this, we will use data from the UK Biobank, which includes information about people’s health, lifestyle, and genetic genotype. We will look at the clinical information of people with and without uveitis to identify patterns and risks. We will also analyze their genetic information to see if there are specific genes that make people more or less likely to get uveitis.
If we find that certain health conditions, for say, type 2 diabetes, are related to uveitis, we will study those patients more closely to see if uveitis might also be a risk factor for these conditions. This will help us understand the disease better and could lead to better ways to prevent and treat uveitis.
The project will last for 3 years, and we hope that our findings will have a positive impact on public health by helping to prevent blindness and improve the lives of people with uveitis.