Interview with Scott M. Whitcup, MD
Why did you feel that it was important to write a book on uveitis? What does Whitcup and Nussenblatt’s Uveitis, 5th Edition add to the field?
Uveitis is an important cause of visual loss and a manifestation of aa plethora of systemic diseases. A book on this topic is important since accurate diagnosis can be elusive, and the therapeutic approach is frequently complicated.
What is the most exciting aspect of your new book? What chapter or topic covered in Whitcup and Nussenblatt’s Uveitis, 5th Edition are you most excited about?
Recent advances in both diagnostic tests and immunotherapy have changed the practice of uveitis. There is a new chapter on the role of ocular coherence tomography in the diagnosis and management of uveitis. The chapter on medical therapy has been completely revised to include new therapies for the disease. Finally, the chapters on viral causes of uveitis include newly described diseases including COVID-19.
Who will find the greatest value from this book and why?
I think this book will be of greatest use to three main groups: ophthalmologists, rheumatologists, general internists, and other doctors who see patients with autoimmune diseases, and researchers in the field of ocular inflammation.
What new ideas, practices, or procedures do you hope your readers take away from Whitcup and Nussenblatt’s Uveitis, 5th Edition?
1. Use of new diagnostic tests and procedures and an understanding on how to interpret the results.
2. Knowledge of the use of new therapeutic agents for the treatment of the disease.
What problem do you hope the future generation of your specialty will be able to solve?
A better understanding of the etiology of many forms of uveitis since we still do not know the specific etiology of many forms of the disease. This should lead to not only better diagnosis and therapy, but also to possible disease prevention.
Is there anything else about the book you’d like to say?
Unlike many textbooks with multiple different authors for each chapter, this book is written by only three. This leads to a more cohesive and integrated review of the topic.
About the Author
My name is Scott Whitcup and I am an ophthalmologist and researcher based in Irvine, California. I am on the clinical faculty at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute and the Founder and CEO of Akrivista and Whitecap Biosciences, two companies developing new medications in ophthalmology and dermatology. Previously, I was the Clinical Director at the National Eye Institute at NIH where I also headed the uveitis fellowship program and ran a laboratory focusing on uveitis and ocular immunology. I completed residency training in both internal medicine and ophthalmology, and it was my interest in both disciplines that lead me to a career in uveitis.
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