Intermediate uveitis pars planitis

Abstract

Uveitis, an inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye, anatomically may be classified as (1) anterior uveitis predominantly involving the iris and the anterior part of the ciliary body (pars plicata) (2) intermediate uveitis involving posterior part of the cilliary body (pars plana) and the extreme periphery of the retina (3) posterior uveitis involving choroid and retina posterior to the vitreous base. Intermediate uveitis consists of two syndromes (1) pars planitis and (2) chronic cyclitis. Both of these are characterised by vitritis and absent or minimal anterior uveitis. The only feature differentiating the two is absence of clinically detectable deposition of exudate over pars plana (snow-banks) in cases of chronic cyclitis. The clinical pattern of these syndromes have evolved under various names such as “cyclitis” by Fuchs in 1908 [1], “peripheral uveitis” by Schepens in 1958 [2], “pars planitis” by Welch and Wehlan in 1960 [3] and finally “Intermediate uveitis” by International Uveitis Study Group in 1987 [4].