TRANSCLERAL DRAINAGE OF SUBRETINAL FLUID, ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR, AND WIDE-FIELD IMAGING-GUIDED...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• Coats disease is a rare condition causing abnormal blood vessel development in the retina.
• Advanced Coats disease (Stage 3) often presents with significant exudative retinal detachment.
• Conventional treatments may involve invasive procedures like vitrectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and efficacy of a novel treatment for advanced Coats disease.
• To evaluate transscleral drainage of subretinal fluid (SRF) combined with intravitreal bevacizumab and laser photocoagulation.
• To determine if this approach can manage exudative retinal detachment without vitrectomy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective interventional case series of eight children with Stage 3 Coats disease.
• All eyes underwent transscleral drainage of SRF.
• Followed by intravitreal bevacizumab injections and laser photocoagulation.

Main Results:

• Complete elimination of SRF after one to two bevacizumab injections.
• Successful retinal reattachment and resolution of exudates in all patients.
• No recurrence of SRF or disease progression noted during up to 60 months of follow-up.

Conclusions:

• A new, less invasive therapeutic approach for advanced Coats disease is presented.
• Transscleral SRF drainage with bevacizumab and laser effectively treats exudative retinal detachment.
• This method successfully halts disease progression without requiring vitrectomy.