Treatment of childhood uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis 
(JIA) is a challenge for both, ophthalmologists and pediatricians. In this 
study, we use the tools of evidence based medicine (EBM) to analyse studies 
concerning disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD)/ immunosuppressive 
drugs and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) blocking agents. Most 
experience among DMARD's/ immunosuppressive drugs has been obtained with 
methotrexate (MTX) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. However, controlled studies 
in uveitis are still missing, so that treatment with MTX and all other 
immunosuppressive drugs (ciclosporine A, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil) 
only reaches an evidence level III (expert opinion, clinical experience or 
descriptive study). Studies on TNFalpha-blocking agents reach an evidence level 
II-III, depending on the substance. In future, MTX will have to be examined in 
comparison to the new biological substance classes (e.g., tumor necrosis 
factor-alpha-blockers) for the treatment of uveitis in juvenile idiopathic 
arthritis. Controlled studies which have led to the approval of drugs for JIA 
are needed for uveitis in order to have the most effective and safe therapy for 
children with uveitis, who do not respond to conventional therapy with local and 
systemic steroids.