Nonprogressive Tractional Inferior Retinal Elevation in Intermediate Uveitis

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe inferior peripheral retinal elevations associated with intermediate uveitis. METHODS: Retrospective review. RESULTS: Eleven eyes of 7 patients developed inferior retinal elevation secondary to intermediate uveitis. Six eyes (54.6%) were believed to have tractional retinoschisis, 2 (18.2%) had tractional retinal detachment, and the remaining 3 (27.3%) had flat retinal elevation of indeterminate type. In 10 eyes there was no evidence of progression during a mean 4-year follow-up. One eye developed extended tractional elevation with macular pucker and failed to respond to surgery. At the most recent visit, visual acuity ranged from 6/5 to NPL with a median of 6/12. CONCLUSION: Intermediate uveitis may cause inferior peripheral retinal elevation. The authors propose that preretinal and pars plana gliosis resulting from chronic pars planitis exerts traction on peripheral retina, causing elevation, but infer that such elevation removes traction and is self-limiting. Surgery should be reserved only for macula threatening lesions.