Analysis of clinical features and visual outcomes of pars planitis

Abstract

Pars planitis is an idiopathic chronic intermediate uveitis mostly affecting children and adolescents. In spite of its chronic nature with high potential of causing ocular complications, adequate treatment and close follow-up lead to favorable visual outcomes.

Intermediate uveitis in a child with phosphatase and tensin homolog gene mutation and Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome

“…Intermediate uveitis is characterised by chronic inflammatory cell aggregates on the pars plana (snowbanks) and within the vitreous (snowballs). In spite of its chronicity and the potential for ocular complications, adequate treatment and close follow-up may suffice for favourable visual outcomes 1. Intermediate uveitis in children is rare; one study found the prevalence of non-infectious intermediate uveitis for paediatric patients, 0 (95% CI, 0.1 to 1.1) per 100 000 2…”

Macular Edema in Childhood Uveitis

“…Based on the available therapeutic evidence and excellent safety profiles, the use of biological therapies has to be considered early despite the absence of an approval for this treatment in children by the national health authorities because of the strong impact on daily tasks [20 -22]. Disease awareness beyond general ophthalmologists and pediatricians as well as an early referral to specialized uveitis centers, if the disease activity is incompletely controlled, is a prerequisite to improve outcomes [22,28,29]. Nevertheless, contraindications have to be considered, including active and latent bacterial infections and immune-pathological and immuno-oncological diseases in disposed individuals [30].…”

Intermediate Uveitis

“…Vitreous inflammatory cells by definition should be present in all cases of active intermediate uveitis [1,90]. The cellular reaction can vary from mild to severe.…”

“…Focal vitreous opacities (snowballs) are common and always indicate active inflammation ( Fig. 1) [13,62,90]. Subsequent partial or complete posterior vitreous separation is common.…”

“…Visible vascular sheathing in the periphery is common (Fig. 2) [90]. Peripheral retinal neovascularization may lead to vitreous hemorrhage [83,[96][97][98].…”