Ocular abnormalities in multi-transfused beta-thalassemia patients

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Hematology
• Genetics

Background:

• Beta-thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder requiring lifelong transfusions.
• Iron overload from transfusions can affect multiple organs, including the eyes.
• Chelation therapy aims to mitigate iron accumulation but may not fully prevent complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence and types of ocular abnormalities in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients.
• To assess the relationship between ocular changes and treatment parameters like transfusion frequency and iron levels.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study comparing 54 thalassemia major patients with 54 healthy controls.
• Comprehensive ocular examinations including visual acuity, refraction, slit lamp, funduscopy, tonometry, perimetry, tear film stability, and color vision tests.
• Analysis of patient records for transfusion history, serum ferritin, and chelation therapy details.

Main Results:

• 68.5% of thalassemia patients exhibited ocular abnormalities, compared to 19.4% in controls (P=0.000).
• Common findings included dry eye, cataract, retinal pigment epithelium degeneration, color vision deficiency, and visual field defects.
• No significant correlation was found between ocular abnormalities and serum ferritin or hemoglobin levels.
• A significant correlation existed between the number of blood transfusions and the presence of ocular abnormalities (P=0.005).

Conclusions:

• Thalassemia patients, even when asymptomatic, frequently develop ocular complications.
• The number of blood transfusions is a significant risk factor for ocular abnormalities.
• Regular ophthalmological evaluations are recommended for early detection and management of eye changes in beta-thalassemia patients.