ANDREW
My name is Andrew and I was diagnosed with Coats’ Disease when I was four-years-old. Growing up, I never particularly liked how it made me visibly different and set me aside from other kids, but I’ve tried my hardest to never let it get in the way of the things I wanted to accomplish. It has inspired me to want to become a physician to help others the way that doctors helped me when I was young.
Ever since my diagnosis and treatment, I have been extremely driven to pursue medicine and I can honestly not see myself doing anything else. The path to medicine is long and winding. I have recently graduated from University and I’m going to start my Masters in September with the hopes of improving my application for medical school.
One eye has removed my depth perception, making sports generally difficult. Despite this, I have been involved in karate for 9 years, earned my black belt and have also been doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a few years. Learning and teaching in both has been incredibly important in making me the person I am today. I’ve learned to view my eye as something that makes me unique. I spent a large portion of my childhood wanting to fit in and be like everyone else, but I’ve learned to roll with it. I often tell people it makes me a constant flirt, because I’m always winking at everyone.
I write this post with the hopes of letting parents of kids with Coats’ and Coats’ kids themselves know that they should embrace it and realize that the only thing that hinders or limits you is your own perspective on it. Thank you to the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation for all the work they do.
FAQ
At the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, we are often contacted by anxious parents or patients who are seeking information after receiving a diagnosis of Coats’ Disease. The questions below are provided as a resource to assist you as you and your doctor decide the best approach for treatment. These questions do not constitute any form of medical advice or diagnosis. Each patient is unique. An experienced retinal specialist who has examined the patient is the best source of information for diagnosis and treatment. We always recommend getting a second opinion.
-
Ahead of any treatments or procedures, it is important to ask yourself and the doctor the following questions:
How do you know that this is Coats’ Disease?
Has your doctor treated other patients with Coats’ Disease?
Have you sought a second opinion? If not, please consult our Doctor Directory for knowledgeable doctors in your area.
-
What Stage of Coats’ Disease is he/she in?
Will his/her vision get worse over time?
Will the eye have pain?
Will his/her eye start to turn out? Is muscle corrective surgery an option?
Are cataracts likely?
How likely is glaucoma? (due to retinal detachment)
Is there calcification?
What is the anticipated disease progression?
-
Is there a thorough vision exam available?
Where is the vision affected? (central/peripheral/distance)
Does he/she have depth perception? (3D visibility)
What about the non-Coats’ eye?
To what extent is his/her vision affected?
Will we be able to use this as a baseline to measure progress/decline?
