About Coats' disease
Coats' disease, also known as Exudative Retinitis, is a progressive condition of the retinal capillaries which occurs in children and young adults, usually males.
Commencing typically during the first decade of life, it is gradual in progress and affects central vision, usually in only one eye.
Retinal capillaries play an important part in the nourishment of the retina which forms the thin light-sensitive screen lining the inside of the back two thirds of the eye. Light reaching the retina is converted into electrical impulses which pass along the optic nerve to the brain where the impulses are converted to sight.
Causes of Coats' disease
At the moment there is no known cause of Coats' disease.
Effects of Coats' disease
The main symptom of Coats' disease is the deterioration in either central or peripheral vision. Peripheral vision is sometimes called doughnut or side vision.
Coats' disease causes retinal capillary dilation, malformation and leakage. Some subretinal bleeding may be experienced and there is a threat of retinal detachment.
Although it is recorded that changes in the blood vessels accompany the later stages of the condition, this is not always seen and it is widely believed that the earliest changes in the small vessels of the retina tend to increase in size. This can lead to superficial haemorrhages and leakage. Coats' may cause strabismus (squint).
Treatment
The condition is diagnosed by the appearance of the back of the eye and by Fluorescein Angiography. Angiography clarifies the eye by injecting dye and then taking photos of the circulation of the back of the eye.
Certain rare complications that might involve the macular regions (responsible for central vision) are increasingly treated successfully with the Argon laser.
Surgery, usually by light (photocoagulation) or extreme cold (cryotherapy), can be used in some people.
Prognosis
If applied early, treatment may be successful in preventing progression and in some cases can improve vision but this is less effective if the retina has detached.
Although it is not uncommon for the condition to lead to retinal detachment, in many cases progress of Coats' disease halts of its own accord and without treatment.
What next
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Useful contacts
RNIB is not aware of a specialist group offering information on Coats' disease although a range of services exist for people with sight difficulties and related problems.
LOOK is an organisation which seeks to identify sight related support groups and put parents in contact. They have regional representatives. Look's national office address is :
LOOK UK
Queen Alexandra College
Court Oak Rd
Harbourne
Birmingham B17 9TG
Telephone 0121 428 5038
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