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A long-term follow-up of Eales' disease
Leyla S Atmaca1, Figen Batioglu, Pelin Atmaca Sonmez
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Bulvari 23/1, 06440 Ankara, Turkey. leylaatmaca@ttnet.net.tr
Purpose:
To provide long-term follow-up information on Eales' patients.
Methods:
Eales' patients, who had been examined at varying periods between the years 1970 and 1991 with a minimum five-year follow-up, were included in the study.
Results:
A total of 130 patients were followed up for a minimum of five and a maximum of 26.5 years. The retinal lesions found during the first examination included vascular sheathing, disc and/or retinal neovascularization, vitreous hemorrhage, branch retinal vein occlusion, retinitis proliferans, and retinal detachment. Visual acuity improved in 37 (20%) of the 185 treated eyes, was maintained in 79 (43%), and worsened in 69 (37%). The complications were tractional detachment, cataract, rubeosis iridis, neovascular glaucoma, and phthisis bulbi.
Conclusion:
The most important elements in dealing with Eales' disease are periodic follow-up, a good and adequate laser treatment, pars plana vitrectomy combined with procedures for nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal vasoproliferative changes to stabilize the retinal lesions and maintain functional levels of vision.