Retinal vasculitis
This is the condition characterized with inflammation of the retinal vessels. This may be primary in which case its also known as eales’ disease or it could be secondary to uveitis.
Eales’ disease
It is an idiopathic [cause unknown] inflammation of the peripheral retinal veins. It is characterized by recurrent vitreous haemorrhage; so also referred to as primary vitreous haemorrhage.
Many workers consider it a hypersensitivity reaction to tubercular proteins.
It is a bilateral disease, typically affecting young males. The common presenting complaints are sudden appearance of black spots [floaters] in front of the eye or painless loss of vision due to vitreous haemorrhage. The haemorrhage clears up but recurrences r very common.
Treatment
1) Medical treatment- oral corticosteroids are the main stay for treatment during active inflammation. A course of anti-tubercular therapy has also been recommended in selective cases.
2) Laser photocoagulation is indicated in the neovascularisation [formation of new blood vessels] stage of the disease.
3) Vitreoretinal surgery is required for non-resolving vitreous haemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment.
One Response
Eales’ Disease « The Health Portal
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:48 am
1[...] more about Eales’ Disease posted under Ophthalmology in The Health [...]
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