Coats disease is a relatively rare disease that affects the normal development of the blood vessels of the eye, specifically in the retina, where the images we see are created.
In people with this disease, it is very common for blood vessels in the retina to rupture and, as a result, blood builds up and causes inflammation of the retina, resulting in blurred vision, decreased vision and, in some cases, even blindness..
- Coats disease is more common in men and after age 8.
- But it can occur in anyone.
- Even if there is no family history of the disease.
- Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis to avoid cases of blindness.
The first signs and symptoms of Coats disease usually appear during childhood and include:
As the disease progresses, other symptoms may begin to appear, such as:
In most cases, these symptoms affect only one eye, but they can also appear in both, so whenever changes appear in the eye or vision, lasting more than a week, it is very important to consult an ophthalmologist, even if they are only an eye.
Coats disease can occur in anyone because it does not appear to be related to an inherited genetic factor; however, it is most common in men between the ages of 8 and 16, especially when there have been symptoms of the disease up to the age of 10.Years.
Diagnosis should always be made by an ophthalmologist by eye exam, an evaluation of eye structures and observation of symptoms; However, because symptoms may be similar to those of other eye diseases, diagnostic tests such as retinal angiography, ultrasound, or CT may also be necessary.
The progression of Coats disease can be divided into 5 main stages
In some people, the disease may not progress at all stages and the time of evolution is quite variable.However, it is best to always start treatment as soon as the first symptoms appear, to avoid the onset of blindness.
Treatment is usually started to prevent the disease from getting worse, so it should be implemented as soon as possible to avoid serious injuries that lead to blindness.Some of the options that the ophthalmologist may indicate are:
It is a type of treatment that uses a beam of light to shrink or destroy abnormal blood vessels in the retina, preventing them from breaking and causing blood to pool.This surgery is usually performed in the early stages of the disease at the doctor and under local anesthesia.
In this treatment, instead of using a laser, the ophthalmologist performs small extreme cold applications near the blood vessels of the eye to heal and close, preventing them from breaking.
Corticosteroids are used directly in the eye to decrease inflammation in the most advanced cases of the disease, helping to relieve discomfort and may even improve vision a little.These injections should be done in the doctor’s office under local anesthesia.
In addition to these options, in case of retinal detachment or glaucoma, treatment of each of these consequences should also be introduced, in order to avoid aggravating the lesions.