How is pars planitis diagnosed?

[Jenny Wren]

I was wondering how pars planitis is diagnosed?  I have an few floaters in my right eye, they are very annoying.  I have my eyes checked every year, the doc said that he can see the floaters.  Are floaters common with pars planitis?  I only have them in the right eye that I am aware of.  When my son was little he poked me in the right eye with his finger, it seems that they have appeared after that happened, and also they seem worse when I have a sneezing spell.  I have no pain in that eye.  Would a field vision test confirm this?  I have this done also every year because of migraines.  I also had a normal brain MRI w/ contrast in April 06.  I heard that this is sometimes related to MS, is that true?  Would lesions have shown after having these floaters for 6 years if it were caused by MS?  And lastly, sorry for all the questions, does optical neuritis always result in vision loss?  Thank you for clarifying these questions for me, I'm concerned beyond belief.  I guess I'm mostly concerned with how pars planitis is diagnosed.  Have a nice weekend!!!

[Forum-OD-MP]

wow.  pars planitis is really, really rare.  did someone tell you that you have pars planitis?  or do you just think you do based on your own internet research?

being poked in the eye is likely unrealted.

sneezing spells are unrelated.

would a "vision test" confirm what?  floaters?  no.  pars planitis?  no.  an eye exam might confirm both.  when people say "vision test", i think of reading letters at the DMV.  is that what you're talking about?  

floaters related to MS?  no.  or do you mean pars planitis related to MS?

no ON does not "always" result in vision loss.

[Jenny Wren]

The vision test I meant was a "field vision test" Your saying that pars planitis is seen with a regular eye exam?  I was never told that I have pars planitis, I just thought that maybe this the reason for my eye floaters.  I am nearsightned, and do have a slight astigmatism in both eyes.  What would the signs of optical neuritis be? What about pars planitis?  The sneezing spells always increase the floaters, they are there all the time though, just worse when I sneeze.  Thank you!!!!

[Ag-i-doc]

pars planitis is really, really rare.  i seriously doubt you have it, just based on statistical improbability.  floaters are really, really common.  just b/c you have floaters DOES NOT mean that you have pars planitis.  in fact, the chances of you having pars planitis even after being examined by an eye doctor are virtually nil.

you also do not have ON.  thats pretty rare, too.  and that would have been picked up an an eye exam.  both of these are "zebra" diagnoses.  you cannot diagnose yourself with pars planitis or ON.

the symptoms of ON are NOT "floaters".  more like vision loss.  some ON patient shave NO symptoms.  dont worry, you dont have either one.  if you had an exam & the doc didnt specifically mention either one of those things, then you dont have them.

[Jenny Wren]

Thanks so much for clarifying that.  You have a great weekend!!!!

[cass105]

A related discussion, is pars planitis cureable? was started.