Bilateral Coats' disease: long-term follow up

Abstract

Purpose: To report on the long-term follow-up of a female patient with bilateral Coats' disease, who showed marked asymmetry between the two eyes.

Methods: A five year old girl presented in 1978 with leukocoria in a blind right eye. A total exudative retinal detachment and extensive retinal telangiectasiae were noted. In the other eye, there was a localized area of retinal exudation and vascular abnormality in the supero-temporal periphery. Ultrasonography showed no evidence of intraocular tumour in the right eye and a clinical diagnosis of bilateral Coats' disease was made.

Results: In 1995, the area or retinal exudation in the left eye increased and laser photocoagulation was applied successfully. To date, no disease recurrences have occurred.

Conclusion: Although Coats' disease is usually unilateral, bilateral, asymmetrical involvement may occur on rare occasions. Long-term follow-up of the least affected eye is necessary so that late complications can be identified early and treated adequately to prevent visual loss.