[Ocular and electroretinographic changes in sickle cell disease]

The primary objective of this case series was to get electroretinographic data in subjects with sickle cell disease. The secondary purpose was to identify ocular changes, their frequency and stage of evolution.

90 patients aged between 8 and 75 years were evaluated. They were subjected to complete ophthalmological examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, retinography, angiography and electroretinography. Electroretinograms with amplitude of wave b less than 400 mW were considered subnormal. Prevalence study was conducted using the Chi-square test, P<0.001.

The electroretinogram was subnormal in 27 (30%) of 90 patients, but of these, only 4 (4.4%) had proliferative retinopathy. The sign of comma in 95% of individuals, the retinal vascular tortuosity in 36.6% and black sunburst in 24.4% were the most frequent changes.

No correlation between sickle cell disease and electroretinographics changes, as described in other studies, were noted. On the other hand, the ocular findings corroborate the previous researches.