Papillophlebitis as an initial presentation of Eales' disease

Eales' disease (ED), which is an idiopathic obliterative vasculitis, is a diagnosis of exclusion. The optic nerve involvement in ED is not very common. We report a case of ED in a 36-year-old male who initially presented as papillephlebitis. He presented with complaints of decreased vision in his right eye for 2 months. Fundus examination revealed that optic disc edema with hemorrhages, and he was started on oral corticosteroid after the exclusion of infectious etiology. Fundus examination after 2 months revealed thet resolution of optic disc edema, but active periphlebitis with multiple superficial retinal hemorrhages involving inferior and inferotemporal quadrant. Based on negative laboratory results and clinical findings a diagnosis of ED was considered. Regular monitoring of patients with papillephlebitis is recommended.