Ocular findings in children with sickle cell haemoglobin C disease in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

The ophthalmological findings in 54 Jamaican children with SC disease are reported. Evidence of peripheral retinal vessel disease was present in 94 percent and retinitis proliferans in 11 percent. Retinitis proliferans was noted as early as 7 years of age and was more common in patients with high haemoglobin levels. There was an unequivocal progression in severity of retinopathy in eight out of eleven children examined 2 years previously. The pathological processes leading to sickle cell proliferative retinopathy are well established in childhood and attempts at prophylactic therapy should be instituted at an early age. (Summary)