Sickle cell retinopathy

Sickle cell retinopathy is a complication of sickle cell disease, a group of disorders that affect hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to cells throughout the body. Sickle cell retinopathy primarily affects the retina, the layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye that converts light images to nerve signals and sends them to the brain.

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

Sickle cell retinopathy is caused by the abnormal, sickle-shaped red blood cells that block blood vessels in the retina. This blockage can lead to a lack of oxygen, or ischemia, in the retina, which can cause damage and lead to vision loss. The retina can also become damaged due to neovascularization, the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels in response to the ischemia.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of sickle cell retinopathy can vary widely, from no symptoms at all to severe vision loss. Common symptoms can include floaters, blurred vision, and visual field loss. In severe cases, it can lead to retinal detachment, a medical emergency that can result in permanent vision loss.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of sickle cell retinopathy typically involves a comprehensive eye examination, including a dilated eye exam to examine the retina and other structures in the back of the eye. Additional tests may include fluorescein angiography, which uses a special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina and optical coherence tomography, a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of the retina.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for sickle cell retinopathy focuses on managing the underlying sickle cell disease and preventing further damage to the retina. This can include regular eye exams to monitor the condition, laser therapy to treat neovascularization, and vitrectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the vitreous gel from the middle of the eye, in cases of retinal detachment.