COMPARISON OF PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH PARS PLANITIS WHO UNDERWENT TREATMENT VERSUS OBSERVATION AT A TERTIARY REFERRAL EYE CENTER.

PURPOSE: To compare the characteristics of pediatric patients with pars planitis (PP) who received treatment versus those who were observed without treatment.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients diagnosed with PP at a tertiary referral center from 2000 to 2024.

RESULTS

Of 158 eyes from 84 patients with PP, 127 eyes (80.4%) received treatment and 31 eyes (19.6%) were observed. Eyes that were observed presented with less anterior chamber cell ( P < 0.007), vitreous cell ( P = 0.0005), vitreous haze ( P = 0.003), and optic nerve head edema ( P = 0.03). The untreated group had significantly lower total fluorescein angiography scores ( P < 0.0001) than the treated group and specifically scored lower in disc leakage ( P = 0.006) and retinal capillary leakage ( P < 0.0001). In the treated group, 66 eyes (52%) developed ocular hypertension and 24 (18.9%) developed glaucoma, whereas the untreated group had no cases of either. Final visual acuity was similar between treated and untreated groups (20/32 vs. 20/25, P = 0.13), and no untreated eyes developed complications requiring surgery.

CONCLUSION

Not all patients with pediatric PP require treatment. Select mild cases may be safely observed without developing sequelae of chronic inflammation. Proper identification of these patients can reduce side effects and medication burden.