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Published on: July 6, 2015
Therapeutic effects of laser photocoagulation and/or vitrectomy in Eales' disease
M H Dehghan1, H Ahmadieh, M Soheilian
1Department of Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Research Center, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran. mhdehghan5@hotmail.com
Purpose:
To determine visual outcomes and regression of retinal neovascularization following laser photocoagulation and/or vitrectomy in eyes with Eales' disease.
Methods:
In a retrospective noncomparative study, the authors reviewed the existing data of 67 eyes of 54 patients with a diagnosis of Eales' disease who had undergone laser photocoagulation and/or vitrectomy based on their clinical presentations. Main outcome measures were visual acuity changes and regression of retinal neovascularization of the eyes following treatment.
Results:
Both laser therapy and vitrectomy improved visual acuity and induced regression of retinal neovascularization. Forty-three eyes had undergone laser therapy; their rate of visual acuity 320/30 improved from 53% before treatment to 60% after treatment. Twenty-four eyes had undergone vitrectomy; rate of visual acuity 320/30 improved from 13% before surgery to 38% after surgery. In eyes that had undergone laser therapy, additional laser therapy controlled recurrent neovascularization in 47% of the eyes, but ultimately, 12% of them required vitrectomy. In the primary vitrectomized group, additional required treatment was repeat vitrectomy in 21%, and/or laser therapy in 29% of the eyes.
Conclusions:
Although laser photocoagulation should be the first line of treatment in Eales' disease, it cannot always induce regression of retinal neovascularization. In such cases vitrectomy may further enhance therapeutic success.
