The Agony of Coats

In 1981, I was diagnosed with retinal telangiectasia (leaking blood vessels in the retina, also known as Coats Disease). The treatment for this disease is lasers burning the leaks to seal them off. In 2009 a laser treatment error resulted in a laser shot to the nerves in the back of my eye. The pain of that moment is now a permanent part of my life.

The Agony of Coats

By David C. Price

The errant laser burns each day

An eternal pain to endure away.

My eyes close not from exhaustion

But from bright lights and tension.

Driving at night is particularly painful

Lights in the mirror burn the retina

Driving into sunlight is nearly impossible,

But to reach a destination requires it.