Abstract
Background: Sickle cell retinopathy is not uncommon in Nigeria. Most cases of retinopathy occur in patients with the hemoglobin SC genotype. A significant proportion present late.Methods: A review of Thirty three (33) cases of sickle retinopathy seen over 3years (2008- 2010) that presented to the retinal unit of the department of Ophthalmology, University College Hospital, Ibadan were reviewed. Demographics and pattern of presentation were recorded in the proforma prepared for the study.Results: Hb SC produces most of the presentations. Male: Female ratio was 3:1. About 2/3 of the patients were below 40 years of age. 24/33 (70%) of the patients presented with proliferative retinopathy. About half of them were blind at presentation. Pan retinal laser photocoagulation is the commonest mode of treatment. The role of AntiVEGF intravitreal injection in the management of sickle retinopathy is discussed.Conclusion: General/ Family physicians are to refer patients with sickle retinopathy for regular ophthalmic examinations to identify treatable lesions amenable to intervention.
Highlights
The prevalence of the hemoglobin S gene in Nigeria is between 20 and 25% [1]
The present study describes the pattern of presentation of sickle retinopathy in Ibadan
Thirty three case notes of patients with sickle retinopathy seen at the retinal clinic of the department of ophthalmology, University College Hospital, Ibadan over the last 3 years (2008-2010) were retrieved
Summary
The prevalence of the hemoglobin S gene in Nigeria is between 20 and 25% [1]. About 25% of adult’s population in Nigeria have the sickle cell trait, AS, while the Hb C trait is largely confined to the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria in whom it occurs in about 6%. In Nigeria, HbSC produces most of the retinopathic changes with previous studies showing patient’s presentation at the late stages of the disease [3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. In the presence of oxidative stress, the red blood cells of sickle cell patients take on a sickle shape instead of the normal bi-concave disc. They become trapped in the small vessels leading to ischemia, hypoxia, and tissue necrosis. Sickle cell retinopathy is not uncommon in Nigeria. Most cases of retinopathy occur in patients with the hemoglobin SC genotype.
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