Related Experiment Videos
Bilateral macular infaction in SS disease
Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Sudden vision loss in sickle cell disease (SCD) can stem from blocked eye arterioles. Reducing irreversibly sickled cells may prevent these vision-threatening macular infarcts.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Hematology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin.
- Vaso-occlusion, a hallmark of SCD, can affect various organs, including the eyes.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old African American female with SCD presented with acute, painless vision loss in the right eye.
- Ocular examination and fluorescein angiography revealed bilateral parafoveal occlusions and signs of previous vaso-occlusive events.
Findings:
- The patient received hydration and a blood transfusion, leading to restored blood flow in the left eye.
- While vision improved in the left eye, the right eye's vision remained significantly impaired, indicating potential macular infarction.
Implications:
- Sudden central visual acuity loss in SCD patients may be caused by vaso-occlusion near the foveal avascular zone.
- Strategies aimed at reducing the number of irreversibly sickled red blood cells could potentially prevent macular infarcts in sickle cell retinopathy.