Pars planitis in the Mexican Mestizo population: ocular findings, treatment, and visual outcome.

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical manifestations of classic pars planitis (CPP) in Mexican patients. We report here the most frequent complications, medical and surgical treatment, and visual prognosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective, descriptive case series examined the clinical features, complications, and treatment (medical and surgical) of CPP patients seen at the Inflammatory Eye Disease Clinic from January 1990 to September 1999.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty patients met inclusion criteria for the study. Mean age at presentation was 10 years and males were more frequently affected. Both eyes were affected in 84.4% of the cases. The most frequent complaint was decreased visual acuity. Initial visual acuity (VA) ranged from no light perception to 20/20 (mean 20/50), and mean final VA was 20/30. The most frequent clinical manifestations were vitritis (99.7%), snowballs (99.3%), retinal vasculitis (89.2%), and snowbanks (63.1%). The most common complications were cystoid macular edema (63.4%) and cataract (47.5%). Periocular corticosteroids were used in 97.5% of cases, systemic corticosteroids in 68.1%, and other immunosuppressive drugs in 21.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

CPP in the Mexican population is more frequent in males and usually presents in patients less than 14 years of age. It is typically bilateral, and the most common symptom is decreased visual acuity. The most important clinical findings are located in the vitreous and retina. Cataract and cystoid macular edema are the most frequent complications. Treatment comprises periocular and systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.