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Patterns of visual loss in untreated sickle cell retinopathy
B J Moriarty1, R W Acheson, P I Condon
1Medical Research Council Laboratories, University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
Eye (London, England)
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Sickle cell retinopathy can cause vision loss in sickle cell disease patients. Proliferative sickle retinopathy significantly increases the risk of visual acuity loss, often due to vitreous hemorrhage or retinal detachment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Hematology
- Retinal Diseases
Background:
- Sickle cell retinopathy is a known complication of sickle cell disease.
- Understanding the risk factors and outcomes of visual loss is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incidence and causes of visual acuity loss in patients with sickle cell (SS) disease and sickle cell haemoglobin-C (SC) disease.
- To determine the association between proliferative sickle retinopathy and visual loss.
Main Methods:
- Ophthalmic assessments of 120 patients with sickle cell (SS) disease and 222 with sickle cell haemoglobin-C (SC) disease over ten years.
- Analysis of visual acuity loss (V.A. ≤ 6/18) and its correlation with retinopathy stage and complications.
Main Results:
- Visual acuity loss occurred in 10% of untreated eyes over a mean of 6.9 years.
- Visual loss was strongly associated with proliferative sickle retinopathy (p < 0.001).
- Common causes included vitreous haemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment, and epiretinal membranes.
Conclusions:
- Proliferative sickle retinopathy is a significant risk factor for visual impairment in sickle cell disease.
- Early detection and management of proliferative sickle retinopathy are essential to prevent irreversible vision loss.