A 24-year-old man presents with recurrent vitreous hemorrhage in the left eye. Examination shows sheathing of peripheral retinal veins with areas of capillary non-perfusion and neovascularization on angiography. Systemic evaluation for tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and Behcet disease is negative. What is the most likely diagnosis?

• A Intermediate uveitis
• B Sickle cell retinopathy
• C Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy
• D Eales disease ✓

Explanation

Eales disease is an idiopathic obliterative periphlebitis classically affecting healthy young adult males, particularly in the Indian subcontinent, and presenting with recurrent vitreous hemorrhage. Peripheral venous sheathing, capillary non-perfusion, and subsequent neovascularization are characteristic. Although historically linked to tuberculosis, many cases have no demonstrable infection, so negative systemic workup does not exclude it. Sickle cell retinopathy requires the hemoglobinopathy, and FEVR presents in childhood with a family history.

Reference: Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.