Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Define the differences between children with pars planitis and neovascularization of the vitreous base and those with no neovascularization. Methods: A retrospective review of children with the diagnosis of Pars Planitis seen in the Uveitis Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Hospital was performed. The diagnosis was made on the observation of characteristic pars plana exudate formation in addition to frequently associated findings, including a marked vitreous inflammation, retinal perivasculitis, and cystoid macular edema in the absence of any systemic disease association. Patients who presented with symptoms or the diagnosis of Pars Planitis before age 17 were included in the study. Duration of disease was documented. The severity of the vitreous inflammation was also graded. A fisher exact test was performed to compare the groups. Results: Twenty eyes of 10 children were found to have Pars Planitis. Of these, 9 eyes had clinical evidence of neovascularization of the vitreous base. Seven of 9 eyes (78%) that developed neovascularization had at least moderate vitreous cell (>1+)on examination. Five of 11 eyes (54%) without neovascularization had greater than 1+ cell on examination (NS). Nine of 9 (100%) eyes with neovascularization of the vitreous base had pars planitis for at least 2 years duration compared to five of 11 eyes (45%) without neovascularization who had duration greater than 2 years (P=0.012). Conclusions: Duration of disease, but not severity of inflammation was found to be significantly greater in patients who develop neovascularization in children with Pars Planitis. Control of all inflammation in patients with Pars Planitis may shorten the total duration of disease and decrease the risk of developing neovascularization.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • retinal neovascularization