CIOLACU
Hello, my name is Ciolacu and I live in the Republic of Moldova. I am a violinist. When I was 13 years old, I was practicing the violin and I closed my left eye. I realized that I could not see with my right eye. The next day, I went with my mother to the nearest ophthalmologist. They examined me and told me it was possible I had cancer. The next day, I went for a CT scan and found out that I didn’t have cancer. After that, I went to the best ophthalmology clinic in Chisinau and finally, after four days of examinations, the doctors said that I have Coats’ Disease. I needed surgery, but in the Republic of Moldova it is not safe to treat me. They told me to go to Russia or Germany.
I went to Germany because my father lived there and after two months, the doctors did laser surgery. The operation went well, but after two months I went back for a follow-up and the doctors said that the leaks did not stop. A few days later, they did another laser surgery. After that, everything went well, and the leaks had stopped.
Today, I am 15 years old. I go for check-ups once a year. This experience gave me more self-confidence and I hope that doctors and scientists will find a cure for this disease.
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.
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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.
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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?
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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?
