A long-term follow-up of Eales' disease

Purpose: To provide long-term follow-up information on Eales' patients. Methods: Eales' patients, who had been examined at varying periods between the years 1970 and 1991 with a minimum five-year follow-up, were included in the study. Results: A total of 130 patients were followed up for a minimum of five and a maximum of 26.5 years. The retinal lesions found during the first examination included vascular sheathing, disc and/or retinal neovascularization, vitreous hemorrhage, branch retinal vein occlusion, retinitis proliferans, and retinal detachment. Visual acuity improved in 37 (20%) of the 185 treated eyes, was maintained in 79 (43%), and worsened in 69 (37%). The complications were tractional detachment, cataract, rubeosis iridis, neovascular glaucoma, and phthisis bulbi. Conclusion: The most important elements in dealing with Eales' disease are periodic follow-up, a good and adequate laser treatment, pars plana vitrectomy combined with procedures for nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal vasoproliferative changes to stabilize the retinal lesions and maintain functional levels of vision.