Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
08:23

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry

Published on: November 5, 2019

Ocular manifestations of hemoglobin S-C disease

J S Speakman, J H Crookston, C B Mortimer

    Canadian Medical Association Journal
    |March 5, 1966
    PubMed

    Insights

    Hemoglobin S-C disease can cause eye problems. Hemoglobin electrophoresis is crucial for diagnosing this blood disorder and associated retinopathy, especially in Canada where hemoglobinopathies are rising.

    Area of Science:

    • Hematology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Medical Genetics

    Background:

    • Hemoglobinopathies, including hemoglobin S-C disease, are increasingly prevalent.
    • Ocular complications are a significant concern in patients with hemoglobin disorders.
    • Early diagnosis is vital for managing potential vision-threatening conditions.

    Observation:

    • Three patients with hemoglobin S-C disease presented with ocular lesions.
    • Four patients with predominant hemoglobin S or C (without ocular lesions) were used for comparison.
    • Hemoglobin electrophoresis proved instrumental in diagnosing hemoglobin S-C disease.

    Findings:

    • A patient initially diagnosed with Eales' disease was re-diagnosed with hemoglobin S-C disease via electrophoresis.
    • A sister with asymptomatic hemoglobin S-C disease was found to have early, unsuspected ocular lesions.
    • The study highlights the diagnostic utility of hemoglobin electrophoresis in complex cases.

    Implications:

    • Increased awareness of the link between abnormal hemoglobins and ocular disease is necessary.
    • This association can lead to the identification of previously unrecognized blood disorders.
    • Early detection of retinopathy in patients with hemoglobinopathies can prevent vision loss.

    More Related Videos

    Comparing Objective Conjunctival Hyperemia Grading and the Ocular Surface Disease Index Score in Dry Eye Syndrome During COVID-1906:29

    Comparing Objective Conjunctival Hyperemia Grading and the Ocular Surface Disease Index Score in Dry Eye Syndrome During COVID-19

    Published on: May 25, 2022

    Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration10:14

    Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration

    Published on: May 26, 2023

    Related Concept Videos

    Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

    Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

    The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
    Albinism
    Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
    Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

    Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

    At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
    Hemoglobin01:24

    Hemoglobin

    Hemoglobin is a globular protein made up of four subunits. Two of these subunits are alpha chains, and the other two are beta chains. Each subunit contains a molecule of heme, which has an iron atom and can bind to oxygen. When an oxygen molecule binds to one heme group, it changes the shape of hemoglobin, making it easier for the other heme groups to bind oxygen as well.
    When all four heme groups are bound to oxygen, the resulting molecule is called oxyhemoglobin. As a result, arterial blood...
    Disorders of Erythrocytes01:27

    Disorders of Erythrocytes

    Disorders of erythrocytes, or red blood cells (RBCs), include a range of conditions affecting their number, shape, or function.
    Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
    A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
    On the other...
    Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

    Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

    Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
    Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations01:24

    Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations

    Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) progressively impairs multiple body systems due to the accumulation of uremic toxins, which disrupt cellular functions across various organs.Neurologic symptomsNeurologic symptoms often arise early in CKD, as uremic toxin buildup drives changes in cognitive and motor functions. Patients frequently experience fatigue, headache, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and, in severe cases, seizures. Peripheral neuropathy commonly manifests as burning sensations in the...