Jantzen
After noticing something in my almost 2-year-old, Jantzen’s, left eye, we rushed him to Wills Eye ER. There, they did an ultrasound of his eye and immediately sent us over to the chief of pediatric ophthalmology. There, they told us that they believed Jantzen had Coats’ Disease and they didn’t think he had any vision in his left eye.
Once we confirmed a Coats’ Disease diagnosis, we saw Dr. Marc Spirn at Mid Atlantic Retina at Wills Eye. Jantzen underwent numerous surgeries on his eye over the course of a year to try to save his eye and any vision they thought may still be there. Unfortunately, Jantzen’s retina was detached for too long and was too damaged to regain any eyesight in his Coats’ eye. Dr. Spirn was able to stop all leaking in Jantzen’s eye over the year through multiple surgeries, and since then, his eye has remained stable. Once Jantzen was stable, we were transferred to Dr. Yashihiro Yonekawa, whom we have been following up with annually to make sure Jantzen’s eye remains stable.
Jantzen is now 9 years old and excels tremendously in sports! Especially hockey and his true love, baseball. He has never let Coats’ Disease define him or what he can do! He will prove anyone wrong if they tell him he can’t do something because of Coats’ Disease. Jantzen never gives up.
We are so incredibly thankful for the amazing doctors at Wills Eye for saving Jantzen’s eye. We can’t wait to see what his future holds!
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?
