The appearance of pars planitis in multiple sclerosis

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical association of multiple sclerosis and pars planitis (or intermediate uveitis), as well as to determine the incidence of pars planitis in multiple sclerosis patients. During the period of one year authors examined 42 patients with multiple sclerosis divided into two groups. First group consisted of 23 patients with history of optic neuritis and the second group consisted of 19 patients who have never had optic neuritis. The mean age of patients in the first group was 31.7 +/- 5.1 years and in the second group 29.1 +/- 8.1 years. Pars planitis was found in 12 patients with multiple sclerosis. Age, sex and degree of neurological disability had no influence on the appearance of pars planitis. Although optic neuritis is considered to be the most common ocular manifestation of multiple sclerosis, the significant number of patients with multiple sclerosis has pars planitis.