Long-Term Outcomes of a Large Cohort of Patients with Eales' Disease.

PURPOSE: To analyze the long-term visual outcomes of Eales' patients.

METHODS: A retrospective review of Eales' patients diagnosed between 1985 and 1995 with >10 years follow-up done.

RESULTS: We included 500 patients (898 eyes) with mean follow-up duration of 15.8 years (10-25 years), and 81% patients had bilateral disease. Patients using oral steroid during acute stage disease had significantly better visual outcome at the final visit [0.42 logMar(6/18) ± 0.723 logMar(6/30)] compared to patients who did not receive oral steroids [(0.5907 logMar(6/24) ± 0.945 logMar(6/48)] (p = 0.004). Patients who received laser therapy had significantly better visual outcome at the final visit [(0.415 logMar(6/18) ± 0.66 logMar(6/30)] compared to those who did not undergo laser treatment [(0.9237 logMar(6/48) ± 1.31 logMar(6/120)] (p < 0.001). Poor presenting visual acuity and late stage of presentation were associated with poor visual outcome. Fifty-two percent of eyes had <5 recurrences over 10 years.

CONCLUSION: Eales' disease is a bilateral recurrent retinal vasculitis disorder and timely treatment with steroid and/or laser photocoagulation result in better visual outcomes.