Pars Planitis/Intermediate Uveitis

Mr. Shantanu Gudsoorkar, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Taunton, UK / Patient Resources / Ophthalmology / Ophthalmology Conditions / Pars Planitis/Intermediate Uveitis

What is Pars Planitis?

Pars planitis is inflammation of a part of the eye called the pars plana. The pars plana is a part (posterior ring) of the ciliary body, the circumferential tissue behind the iris responsible for making the fluid in the eye that nourishes the lens and cornea. Pars planitis is a form of uveitis, a treatable inflammatory eye disorder that affects the uvea or middle layer of the eye, and can lead to blindness if not treated. Pars planitis is considered a subset of intermediate uveitis (one of the 4 types of uveitis, namely, anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, and panuveitis) and is identified by the presence of white exudates over the pars plana.

The cause of pars planitis has not been clearly determined and therefore it is referred to as an idiopathic disorder. It is believed, however, to be an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the patient's own body. In some cases, pars planitis is associated with certain disease conditions such as sarcoidosis (inflammation in any organ of the body), multiple sclerosis (a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system) and Lyme disease (bacterial infection).

Symptoms of Pars Planitis

Symptoms experienced by patients with the condition include:

  • Blurred vision and dark floating spots that interfere with the clarity of eyesight.
  • Swelling inside the eyes, especially on the peripheral retina 
  • Decreased vision

Pars planitis can occur in one or both eyes and can affect 

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