Uveitis, perivenous sheathing and multiple sclerosis

Pars planitis (peripheral uveitis) and perivenous sheathing are two ocular phenomena associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 163 ocular examinations were performed on 127 MS patients. The prevalence of pars planitis in our study is lower (2.4%) than found by others, but significantly higher than its occurrence in the general population. We attribute our lower prevalence to the method of ocular examination (scleral depression and indirect ophthalmoscopy), as well as to firmly defined criteria necessary to make the diagnosis of pars planitis. The incidence of perivenous sheathing (11%) reported by us is consistent with the experience of others; however, this finding was noted more frequently in patients with the progressive form of MS. No perivenous sheathing was found to develop within the first few weeks following 31 exacerbations, and no association was identified between its presence and the severity of neurologic disability.