Choroidal filling patterns in sickle cell patients

Two choroidal occlusion syndromes are recognized: the triangular syndrome after ciliary artery occlusions, and the multifocal lesions associated with choroidal arteriolar occlusions. Both syndromes have been described in sickle cell patients. We compared early venous phase fluorescein angiograms of 51 Hb SS or Hb SC patients and 15 age and race matched controls, to test whether geographic early filling defects of the choriocapillaris might be more common in these rheologically impaired patients. We found no difference in occurrence of these filling defects between the two groups, and conclude that choriocapillaris filling defects in the early venous phase only are not pathological.