Eales' disease: the great masquerader.
BACKGROUND
Eales' disease, also known as idiopathic retinal periphlebitis, is a diagnosis of exclusion, mainly affecting men in the second through fourth decades of life. Although less common in the United States, Eales' disease is widespread in India and certain areas of the Middle East.


METHODS
A healthy, 42-year-old Filipino man presented with reduced vision in the right eye of 2 days' duration and had recently had a nonrhegmatogenous retinal detachment diagnosed. Clinical findings included angle neovascularization, posterior vitritis, intraretinal hemorrhages, and retinal vascular sheathing in that eye. Systemic evaluation did not disclose an underlying etiology. Eales' disease was diagnosed. Treatment included topical steroids and cycloplegia, along with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection, which yielded an improvement in the vasculitis and vitritis with subsequent visual improvement and stabilization.


CONCLUSIONS
Eales' disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with vasculitis and vitritis.
Davis
Jeanmarie
J
Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33027, USA. drdavis2020@yahoo.com
Schecter
Scott H
SH
Sowka
Joseph
J
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D009184:Mydriatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D031300:Retinal Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012169:Retinal Vein; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014822:Vitreous Body
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D009184:Mydriatics; C009935:prednisolone acetate; D011239:Prednisolone; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide