Eales’ disease is generally a disease of young adults & otherwise healthy males. Cause of the disease is generally unknown although association with tuberculosis (TB) has been described.
It affects the retina (which is like a photographic film lining the inside of an eyeball) and its blood vessels (pipes carrying blood).
These blood vessels of retina get swollen and become leaky or may rupture giving rise to bleeding inside the eye.
Patient having no bleeding inside the eye or having swelling only in the peripheral retina may have no complaint.
Patients may first experience slight diminution of vision to sudden total loss of vision due to heavy bleeding.
Usually both eyes are involved although asymmetrically or second eye may get involved only after months to years of involvement of the first eye.
In the stage of swelling (inflammation of blood vessels and retina), oral steroid tablets (e.g. Wysolone) are given for few weeks. These should never be taken with empty stomach & must never be stopped abruptly.
Fluorescein Angioscopy/angiography is usually required to study the leaking blood vessels. This procedure is done with a special fluorescent dye injected into the vein of the hand as an OPD procedure.
Leaky blood vessels usually require the laser (Photocoagulation) treatment to destroy them in one or more sittings. This retinal laser is also done as an OPD procedure requiring no surgical cuts on the eye.
If blood does not dissolve in an observation period of about 3-6 months (ultrasonography of eye may also be regularly required in such patients), major surgery (Vitrectomy) may be required to clear the blood.
Eales’ disease thus requires multiple and regular follow-ups, as there is no definitive treatment for the disease which can cure it from its roots but most of the serious complications can usually be prevented with timely management.