Visual Outcome after Laser Photocoagulation for Stage 4 Proliferative Sickle Cell Retinopathy

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this research is to evaluate the visual outcome after peripheral laser photo-coagulation for Goldberg stage-4 proliferative sickle cell retinopathy patients seen in Eye Foundation Hospital Lagos between January and December 2002. Methodology: A hospital-based retrospective case review study was done. The medical records of 10 patients (13 eyes) who were treated with laser photocoagulation for stage 4 proliferative sickle cell retinopathy within a 12 month period were evaluated. World Health Organization (WHO) visual acuity groupings were used for evaluation. Results: At presentation, 92.3% of the eyes had normal vision while 7.7% had visual impairment. At three months after laser treatment, 84.6% of the eyes had normal vision while 15.4% had visual impairment. At six months after treatment, 76.9% of the eyes had normal vision while 23.1% of eyes were blind due to recurrent uncontrollable vitreous haemorrhage. Out of the 13 eyes which were treated, 7.7% had actually improved from the visual impairment group to the normal vision group. Conclusion Peripheral laser photocoagulation is effective in the treatment of selected cases of stage 4 proliferative sickle cell retinopathy; with 76.9% of patients maintaining normal vision 6 months after treatment. Key Words: laser photocoagulation, sickle cell retinopathy, visual outcome Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.12 (1) 2004: 19-22