I have pars planitis. What is it? Is there a cure? Can my children get it?
Pars planitis is a type of uveitis, an inflammation of a portion of the uveal tract of the eye. The pars plana is a structure in the ciliary body, located near the iris in the middle layer of the eye.
You may also hear pars planitis referred to as intermediate uveitis. It can be confusing, because the names are often used interchangeably. Unfortunately, the definitions have not been standardized and the confusion about terms persists, even among doctors. Ask your eye doctor to describe your precise diagnosis and its implications.
Unlike many eye disorders, pars planitis is more common in children and young adults than in older people. It is extremely rare for pars planitis to develop in people older than 40. Most cases are idiopathic, meaning of unknown cause, but it is sometimes linked to multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease or a condition called sarcoidosis.
Pars planitis can run in families, but more typically, it does not. The success of treatment depends on the exact nature of your condition and how early it was detected. Treatment usually involves steroid medication, but sometimes surgery is necessary. If the inflammation is limited to the pars plana, you’re likely to experience a speedier recovery than with a more extensive inflammation or more advanced case of intermediate uveitis.