- Main symptoms
- Who is most at risk of having the disease
- How the diagnosis is made
- What are the stages of evolution
- Treatment options
- 1. Laser surgery
- 2. Cryotherapy
- 3. Corticosteroid injection
Coats disease is a relatively rare disorder that affects the normal development of blood vessels in the eye, more specifically in the retina, the place 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, therefore, blood accumulates and causes inflammation of the retina, which results in blurred vision, decreased vision and, in some cases, even blindness.
Coats disease is more common in males and after 8 years of age, but it can occur in anyone, even if there is no family history of the disease. Treatment should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis to avoid cases of blindness.
Main symptoms
The first signs and symptoms of Coats disease usually appear during childhood and include:
- Strabismus; Presence of a whitish film behind the lens of the eye; Decreased depth perception; Reduced vision.
As the disease progresses, other symptoms may begin to appear, such as:
- Reddish color in the iris; Constant redness of the eye; Cataracts; Glaucoma.
In most cases, these symptoms affect only one eye, but they can also appear in both. Thus, whenever changes in the eye or vision appear, lasting more than a week, it is very important to consult an ophthalmologist, even if they are affecting only one eye.
Who is most at risk of having the disease
Coats disease can occur in anyone, as it does not seem to be related to any genetic factor that can be inherited. However, it is more common in males and between 8 and 16 years old, especially when there have been symptoms of the disease up to 10 years old.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis must always be made by an ophthalmologist through an eye exam, evaluation of the eye structures and observation of symptoms. However, and since the symptoms may be similar to those of other eye diseases, it may also be necessary to do diagnostic tests such as retinal angiography, ultrasound or computed tomography, for example.
What are the stages of evolution
The progression of Coats' disease can be divided into 5 main stages:
- Stage 1: there are abnormal blood vessels in the retina, but they are not yet broken and therefore there are no symptoms; Stage 2: the retinal blood vessels rupture, which lead to blood accumulation and gradual loss of vision; Stage 3: retinal detachment occurs due to the accumulation of fluids, resulting in signs such as flashes of light, dark spots in the vision and discomfort in the eye. Learn more about retinal detachment; Stage 4: with the gradual increase of fluid inside the eye, there is an increase in pressure that can result in glaucoma, in which the optic nerve is affected, severely impairing vision; Stage 5: it is the most advanced stage of the disease when blindness and severe pain in the eye appear, due to the exaggerated pressure increase.
In some people, the disease may not progress through all phases and the time of evolution is quite variable. However, it is best to always start treatment when the first symptoms appear, to avoid the appearance of blindness.
Treatment options
Treatment is usually started to prevent the disease from getting worse, so it should be started as soon as possible to avoid the appearance of serious injuries that lead to blindness. Some of the options that can be indicated by the ophthalmologist include:
1. Laser surgery
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 rupturing and leading to blood accumulation. This surgery is usually done in the early stages of the disease in the doctor's office and with local anesthesia.
2. Cryotherapy
In this treatment, instead of using a laser, the ophthalmologist makes small applications of extreme cold close to the blood vessels of the eye so that they heal and close, preventing them from breaking.
3. Corticosteroid injection
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 your vision a little. These injections need to be done in the doctor's office with local anesthesia.
In addition to these options, if there is retinal detachment or glaucoma, treatment for each of these consequences should also be initiated, in order to avoid aggravating the lesions.
