Pediatric Pars Planitis: A Review

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To provide an overview of pediatric pars planitis.

Methods

Narrative literature review.

Results

Pars planitis refers to the idiopathic subset of intermediate uveitis in which there is vitritis along with snowball or snowbank formation occurring in the absence of an associated infection or systemic disease. It is thought to be a T-cell mediated disease with a genetic predisposition. Pars planitis accounts for 5–26.7% of pediatric uveitis cases. Presentation is commonly bilateral but asymmetric, often with insidious onset of floaters and blurred vision. Although pars planitis is known to be a benign form of uveitis in most cases, severe complications secondary to chronic inflammation may arise, with cystoid macular edema being the most common cause of visual morbidity. Mild vitritis in the absence of symptoms, vision loss, or macular edema may be observed. Patients with severe vitritis and/or associated vision-threatening complications require prompt aggressive treatment. A stepladder approach including corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, anti‑tumor necrosis factor‑alpha and pars plana vitrectomy and/or laser photocoagulation is the most commonly used method for treatment of pars planitis.

Conclusion

Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment of pediatric pars planitis and associated complications are crucial in order to improve visual outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Intermediate uveitis
• macular edema
• pars planitis
• pediatric uveitis
• snowballs

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.