[Retinal complications in hemoglobinopathies: report of 32 cases]

Hemoglobinopathies especially sickle cell disease causes neovascularization in the retina and lead to hemorrhage. To gain insight into the features and incidence of this retinopathy, a study was carried out in Lome, Togo, in 32 subjects (mean age: 31.1 years) presenting hemoglobinopathy. There were 25 patients with SC disease, 3 with SS, 2 with AC, and 2 with A2F. All were examined by the same ophthalmologist and underwent fluorescein angiography. Retinopathy was observed in 22 of the 32 patients including 21 of the 25 patients (84%) with SC and one patient with AC who presented macular hemorrhage. The main findings in patients with SC were formation of new blood vessels in the peripheral retina characteristic of proliferating retinopathy in 11 cases, black sun spots characteristic of non-proliferating retinopathy in 3 cases, and evidence of vitreous hemorrhage in 2 cases. These findings confirm the high incidence and seriousness of retinal complications in patients with SC disease. Prevention is necessary and requires systematic screening to allow early detection of complications which can be treated by laser photocoagulation.