Pars planitis (peripheral uveitis) is a disease of the eye in which there is inflammation of the pars plana, a small area of tissue next to the iris that is responsible for making aqueous humor (the fluid in the eye that nourishes the lens and cornea). Pars planitis is often referred to as intermediate uveitis because the pars plana is a part of the uvea. This condition most often affects young men and is generally not associated with any other disease or symptoms (idiopathic). However, there have been a few case reports of an association with autoimmune disease such as Crohn’s disease. Some experts also suggest a possible association with multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, cat scratch or Lyme disease.
Pars planitis, also known as intermediate uveitis, is an eye disease that primarily affects the middle part of the eye. This area is called the uvea, and when it becomes inflamed, it can lead to various eye problems.
Types of Pars Planitis:
There are two main types of pars planitis:
- Idiopathic Pars Planitis: This type has no known cause.
- Secondary Pars Planitis: This type occurs as a result of an underlying condition, such as an autoimmune disease or infection.
Common Causes of Pars Planitis:
Here are 20 potential causes of pars planitis:
- Autoimmune disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis).
- Infections (e.g., Lyme disease).
- Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn’s disease).
- Tuberculosis.
- Sarcoidosis.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- Herpes.
- Syphilis.
- Cat-scratch disease.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.
- Histoplasmosis.
- Behcet’s disease.
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
- Blunt eye trauma.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals.
- Non-infectious conditions (idiopathic).
- Fungal infections.
- Parasitic infections.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of Pars Planitis:
Pars planitis can lead to a range of eye-related symptoms, including:
- Blurred vision.
- Floaters (tiny specks or threads in your field of vision).
- Eye pain.
- Redness in the eye.
- Light sensitivity.
- Excessive tearing.
- Loss of peripheral vision.
- Eye inflammation.
- Eye twitching.
- Headaches.
- Reduced color vision.
- Difficulty focusing.
- Double vision.
- Vision loss.
- Wavy or distorted vision.
- Halo around lights.
- Eye fatigue.
- Changes in pupil size.
- Eye pressure.
- Glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye).
Diagnostic Tests for Pars Planitis:
To diagnose pars planitis, your eye doctor may perform the following tests:
- Eye Exam: A comprehensive eye examination to check for inflammation, damage, or other abnormalities.
- Visual Acuity Test: Measures how well you can see at various distances.
- Slit-Lamp Examination: A special microscope to examine the structures of the eye in detail.
- Ophthalmoscopy: Examining the inside of the eye using a lighted instrument.
- Fluorescein Angiography: Injecting a special dye into your bloodstream to highlight blood vessels in the eye.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A non-invasive imaging test that produces detailed cross-sectional images of the eye.
- Ultrasound: Using sound waves to create images of the eye’s interior.
- Blood Tests: To check for underlying conditions or infections.
- Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): Rarely, this may be done to rule out certain neurological diseases.
Treatments for Pars Planitis:
The treatment for pars planitis aims to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms. Here are 30 possible treatments:
- Corticosteroid Eye Drops: Reduce eye inflammation.
- Oral Corticosteroids: For more severe inflammation.
- Immunosuppressive Drugs: Suppress the immune system to reduce inflammation.
- Biologics: Target specific immune system proteins.
- Cyclosporine: An immunosuppressant medication.
- Methotrexate: Used for severe cases.
- Azathioprine: Suppresses the immune system.
- Intravitreal Injections: Directly into the eye to reduce inflammation.
- Vitrectomy: Surgical removal of the vitreous gel in the eye.
- Laser Photocoagulation: Sealing leaking blood vessels.
- Cryotherapy: Freezing abnormal blood vessels.
- Scleral Buckling: Correcting retinal detachment.
- Anti-VEGF Injections: Targeting abnormal blood vessel growth.
- Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG): For autoimmune cases.
- Plasma Exchange: Removing harmful antibodies from the blood.
- Oral Antibiotics: For infections.
- Antifungal Medications: For fungal infections.
- Antiviral Medications: For viral infections.
- Antiparasitic Medications: For parasitic infections.
- Pain Relievers: To manage eye pain.
- Artificial Tears: Lubricate the eyes.
- UV Protection: Wearing sunglasses to protect against sunlight.
- Dietary Changes: Reducing foods that may trigger inflammation.
- Stress Management: Stress can worsen symptoms.
- Physical Therapy: For eye muscle problems.
- Occupational Therapy: Help with daily activities.
- Supportive Devices: Such as magnifiers for reading.
- Low Vision Rehabilitation: Training to maximize remaining vision.
- Regular Eye Exams: Monitoring the condition.
- Patient Education: Understanding and managing the disease.
Medications for Pars Planitis:
Common medications used to treat pars planitis include:
- Prednisolone eye drops.
- Prednisone (oral corticosteroid).
- Methotrexate.
- Cyclosporine.
- Infliximab.
- Adalimumab.
- Etanercept.
- Mycophenolate mofetil.
- Azathioprine.
- Rituximab.
- Bevacizumab.
- Ranibizumab.
- Triamcinolone acetonide.
- Tobramycin-dexamethasone eye drops.
- Ganciclovir (antiviral).
- Itraconazole (antifungal).
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (antibacterial).
- Albendazole (antiparasitic).
- Acetaminophen (pain reliever).
- Artificial tear drops (lubrication).
Conclusion:
Pars planitis is a complex eye condition that can have a wide range of causes and symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing eye problems, it’s crucial to seek professional medical advice and care. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help manage the condition effectively and preserve your vision. Always consult with an eye specialist for a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Disclaimer: Each person’s journey is unique, treatment plan, life style, food habit, hormonal condition, immune system, chronic disease condition, previous medical history is also unique. So always seek the best advice from a qualified medical professional or health care provider before trying any treatments to ensure to find out the best plan for you. This guide is for general information and educational purposes only. If you or someone are suffering from this disease condition bookmark this website or share with someone who might find it useful! Boost your knowledge and stay ahead in your health journey. Thank you for giving your valuable time to read the article.
