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Last updated: August 08, 2007
Years published: 1991, 1999, 2007
Eales Disease is a rare disorder of sight that appears as an inflammation and white haze around the outercoat of the veins in the retina. The disorder is most prevalent among young males and normally affects both eyes. Usually, vision is suddenly blurred because the clear jelly that fills the eyeball behind the lens of the eye seeps out (vitreous hemorrhaging).
Eales Disease usually presents as blurred vision resulting from oozing of the clear jelly-like substance from behind the lens of the eye. At the onset of the disorder, the small outer veins of the retina show sheathing (encapsulation or covering). As the disease progresses, the inflammation around the veins in the retina extends further behind the lens. Eales Disease may also be associated with peripheral retinal neovascularization which is the formation of new blood vessels on the outer part of the retina.
The more advanced cases of Eales Disease are characterized by a non- inflammatory degenerative disease of the retina (retinopathy) and extensive bleeding in the retina. The colorless jelly that fills the eyeball behind the lens oozes from the retina (vitreous hemorrhage) and, in rare cases, the retina may become detached. A reddish discoloration of the iris may be present (rubeosis iridis), and there may be loss of vision and damage to the optic disk (neovascular glaucoma). Clouding of the lens of the eye that obstructs the passage of light (cataracts) may develop as the disease progresses.
The exact case of Eales Disease is not known. This disorder seems to occur spontaneously because no precipitating factors such as injury, infection, or heredity appear to be involved.
Eales Disease is a rare disorder that affect males and females in equal numbers.
Treatment of Eales Disease is symptomatic and supportive. The surgical process of coagulating tissue with a laser beam (laser panretinal photocoagulation) may be used to eliminate the deficiency of blood in the retina caused by constriction of blood vessels and to slow down excessive formation of blood vessel tissue.
Hemorrhaging of the clear jelly that is behind the lens of the eye (vitreous) and detachment of the retina) may be helped by the removal of the dark pigmented disk and jelly-like substance behind the retina (pars plana vitrectomy.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government website.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
TEXTBOOKS
Newell FW. Ophthalmology Principles and Concepts. 7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book Inc; 1992:300.
ARTICLES
Sulochana KN, et al., Ealesโ disease: increased oxidation and peroxidation products of membrane constituents chiefly lipids and decreased antioxidant enzymes and reduced glutathione in vitreous. Curr Eye Res. 1999;19:254-59.
Shanmugam MP, et al., Long term visual results of vitrectomy for Eales disease complications. Int Ophthalmol. 1998;22:61-64.
Badrinath SS, et al., Vitreoschisis in Ealesโ disease: pathogenic role and significance in surgery. Retina. 1999;19:51-54.
Eller AW, et al., Peripheral retinal neovascularization (Eales disease) associated with the factor V Leiden mutation. Am J Ophthalmol. 1998;126:146-49.
Das T, et al., Ealesโ disease. Indian J Ophthalmol. 1994;42:3-18.
FROM THE INTERNET
eMedicine โ Eales Disease : Article by Daniel B Roth, MD
www.emedicine.com/oph/topic637.htm
Rare Diseases Terms โ Office of Rare Diseases
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/asp/diseases/diseaseinfo
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Learn more https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
View reportOrphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.
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