Coats-type retinitis pigmentosa in a 4-year-old child.
PURPOSE: To describe the occurrence of Coats-like exudative retinopathy secondary to underlying retinitis pigmentosa in a 4-year-old child. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: A 4-year-old girl had bilateral exudative retinal telangiectasia requiring photocoagulation. She subsequently developed progressive nyctalopia, photophobia, and reduced peripheral vision. Electroretinography and dark adaptometry at age 8 years confirmed the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa. CONCLUSIONS: Coats-like exudative retinopathy secondary to retinitis pigmentosa can manifest as early as age 4 years and can precede the diagnosis of the underlying retinal dystrophy.