Intermediate uveitis

Abstract

Intermediate uveitis (IU) is described as inflammation in the anterior vitreous, ciliary body and the peripheral retina. In the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) working group's international workshop for reporting clinical data the consensus reached was that the term IU should be used for that subset of uveitis where the vitreous is the major site of the inflammation and if there is an associated infection (for example, Lyme disease) or systemic disease (for example, sarcoidosis). The diagnostic term pars planitis should be used only for that subset of IU where there is snow bank or snowball formation occurring in the absence of an associated infection or systemic disease (that is, “idiopathic”). This article discusses the clinical features, etiology, pathogenesis, investigations and treatment of IU.

Clinical Characteristics of Intermediate Uveitis in Chinese Patients

“…Nonetheless, our observed proportion of optic disc swelling of 5.2% is line with other IU studies in which disc edema is seen in 3-38.6% of IU eyes. 18 Due to the rarity of certain diseases locally, e.g., Lyme disease and sarcoidosis, some laboratory investigations, e.g. Lyme serology and serum angiotensin converting enzyme are not readily available in Hong Kong.…”

Practical diagnostic approach to uveitis

“…Intermediate uveitis refers to inflammation that primarily manifests in the vitreous, presumably due to inflammation of the pars plana and peripheral retinal vasculature [29,77,78]. Patients with IU may also demonstrate peripheral vascular sheathing and macular edema.…”

Treatment of Intermediate Uveitis

“…The incidence of secondary glaucoma and cataract has been reported to be approximately 8 and 50 %, respectively, in patients with intermediate uveitis [ 5 ].…”