Uveitis and Immunologic Ophthalmology

The Uveitis and Ocular Immunology Department of Tianjin Eye Hospital provides diagnosis and treatment for various types of uveitis, scleritis, and other ocular immune diseases. The department receives a large number of patients from all over the country every year and has earned the trust and praise of the vast majority of patients. The department has established standardized diagnostic and treatment procedures for immune-mediated eye diseases. In terms of treatment, it emphasizes the optimization of individualized treatment plans and the use of new treatment methods, including biologics, small-molecule targeted drugs, and intraocular sustained-release preparations. It has extensive experience in treating complex and difficult-to-treat uveitis and immune-mediated eye diseases and their complications, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and vitreous opacities. The department is also committed to clinical research on uveitis, its pathological mechanisms, genetics, and novel treatment methods. It has led or participated in multiple international and domestic multicenter clinical trials and is at the international forefront of research on the treatment of uveitis with mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives. Professor Zhang Xiaomin, the academic leader of the department, is Vice President of Tianjin Eye Hospital, Director of the Tianjin Institute of Ophthalmology, a doctor of ophthalmology, professor, chief physician, and doctoral supervisor. From 2005 to 2006, she received a scholarship from the Franco-Chinese Foundation for Science and Technology Applications (FFCSA) and conducted postdoctoral research at the Department of Ophthalmology of the ROTHCHILD Hospital in Paris, France, and at Paris XII University. She currently serves as a member of the Ocular Immunology Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, a youth committee member of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, a member of the Uveitis and Immunology Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Deputy Head of the Ocular Immunology Group of the Immunology and Rheumatology Society of the Cross-Strait Medicine and Health Exchange Association, Head of the Uveitis and Ocular Immunology Group of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Tianjin Medical Association, and a standing committee member of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Tianjin Medical Doctor Association. She also serves as an editorial board member of the Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases and a communicating editorial board member of the Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology. She has received the title of New Century Talent in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan of Tianjin Medical University, has been selected for the Discipline Leading Talent Training Program of Tianjin Universities, and has received the titles of Tianjin Expert with Outstanding Contributions, Outstanding Ophthalmologist of the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Tianjin Leading Talent in Scientific and Technological Innovation, first-level talent in the 1-2-3 Climbing Program of Tianjin Medical University, and Outstanding Scientific and Technological Talent of Tianjin Binhai New Area. She is primarily engaged in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of immune diseases such as ocular uveitis and fundus diseases, as well as the development of novel treatment methods. Internationally, she was among the first to conduct systematic and in-depth research on the treatment of ocular diseases with mesenchymal stem cells and the exosomes they secrete, and she has carried out multiple clinical trials related to uveitis. In recent years, she has published more than 100 papers, including more than 80 SCI papers as both first and corresponding author; she has served as chief editor, deputy chief editor, or contributing editor of 6 monographs. She has undertaken 6 projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 4 key projects funded by the Tianjin Natural Science Foundation, 1 major scientific and technological support project of Tianjin, and other projects, totaling more than 30 projects. She has obtained 18 authorized national invention patents and completed 2 technology transfers, with a total value exceeding 100 million yuan. She has led and participated in the formulation of multiple expert consensuses and led the formulation of the Expert Consensus on Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor α Therapy for Noninfectious Uveitis. In 2015, she was selected among the Top Ten Advances in Ocular Immunology by the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association; in 2017, she was selected among the Top Ten Scientific Research Highlights in Ocular Immunology by the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. She received 1 First Prize of the Tianjin Science and Technology Progress Award, 1 Second Prize of the Tianjin Science and Technology Progress Award, and 2 Third Prizes of the Chinese Medical Science and Technology Progress Award. In 2023, she was selected among the Top 100 Scholars by Academic Influence of Papers in the National Ophthalmology Field from 2013 to 2022. In 2025, she ranked among the world's top 2% of scientists.