Beta-Thalassemia Minor Manifesting as Proliferative Retinopathy

Beta-thalassemia (β-thalassemia) minor is characterized by a mutation in one of the two β-globin genes (HBB) that produce the β-globin chains in the hemoglobin molecule. Although other hemoglobinopathies have been frequently associated with retinal disease, there are limited reports of retinal pathology with β-thalassemia minor. We report two patients with β-thalassemia minor presenting with decreased vision, vitreous hemorrhage, and proliferative retinopathy. This case report highlights that patients with β-thalassemia minor may require routine ocular examinations for peripheral retinal pathology, and β-thalassemia minor should be considered in the differential diagnosis for proliferative retinopathy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e161-e164.].