My grandson is 9.He may have Coats disease or retinoblastoma,Is there any treatment for coat's?

He is her only child.He is a sweet child.and has beautiful blue eyes.His C.T. scan shows a 3mm calcified density indicative of infection,inflammation or neoplasm.Why is this happening to this sweet,loving child.He has hardly any vision in his left eye.

The main symptom of Coats鈥?disease is the deterioration in either central or peripheral vision. Peripheral vision is sometimes called doughnut or side vision.

Coats鈥?disease causes retinal capillary dilation, malformation and leakage. Some subretinal bleeding may be experienced and there is a threat of retinal detachment. Although it is recorded that changes in the blood vessels accompany the later stages of the condition, this is not always seen and it is widely believed that the earliest changes in the small vessels of the retina tend to increase in size. This can lead to superficial haemorrhages and leakage. Coats鈥?may cause strabismus (squint).

The condition is diagnosed by the appearance of the back of the eye and by Fluorescein Angiography. Angiography clarifies the eye by injecting dye and then taking photos of the circulation of the back of the eye.

Certain rare complications that might involve the macular regions (responsible for central vision) are increasingly treated successfully with the Argon laser.

Surgery, usually by light (photocoagulation) or extreme cold (cryotherapy), can be used in some people.

If applied early, treatment may be successful in preventing progression and in some cases can improve vision but this is less effective if the retina has detached.

Although it is not uncommon for the condition to lead to retinal detachment, in many cases progress of Coats鈥?disease halts of its own accord and without treatment.

RNIB is not aware of a specialist group offering information on Coats鈥?disease although a range of services exist for people with sight difficulties and related problems.

1. LOOK is an organisation which seeks to identify sight related support groups and put parents in contact. They have regional representatives. Look's national office address is

LOOK UK
Queen Alexandra College
Court Oak Rd
Harbourne
Birmingham B17 9TG
Telephone 0121 428 5038

2. RNIB Education Service is happy to discuss the ways in which children with severe sight problems can achieve their potential and to identify local support for families with visually impaired children.

Please see the webpage for more details on retinoblastoma.