The role of ocular dendritic cells in uveitis

•The status and function of ocular DCs likely play a key role in uveitis.•The factors affecting the status of DCs in eyes and the unknown aspects of DCs remain explored in uveitis.•The clinically detection of DCs in eyes has been shown promise in the judgment of uveitis progression. Dendritic cells (DCs) act as a bridge between innate and adoptive immunity. They are widely distributed in various tissues and organs. Resident ocular DCs are found in the peripheral margins and juxtapapillary areas of the retina, usually in an immature state. During inflammation, DCs are activated and participate in the development of uveitis, an ocular inflammatory disease. Herein, the characteristics and status of DCs in uveitis, the possible factors affecting the status of DCs, and the clinical methods for detecting the DCs in patients are described.