Work

Ophthalmic Outcomes and Management of Retinopathy in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease: A Comprehensive Health Registry Study and Review of Management Strategies

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the rates of ophthalmic complications and interventions in patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell retinopathy (SCR), while reviewing current management strategies within the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients ≥ 18 years of age with the diagnosis of SCD and SCR. The electronic health record system TriNetX was utilized to identify patients diagnosed with SCD and SCR. The main outcome measures included rates of ophthalmic complications and interventions. RESULTS: We identified 1,249 patients with the diagnosis of both SCD and SCR. The mean age at diagnosis of SCR was 34.9 ± 14.8 years. The most common ocular complication was vitreous hemorrhage (VH) (19.5%) followed by cataracts (17.8%), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (12.4%), and tractional retinal detachment (4.7%). The most common ocular intervention was retinal laser photocoagulation (13.6%). CONCLUSIONS: In a large, contemporary population-based study for SCD patients with SCR, the rates of preventable visually significant complications are high. Timely screening, diagnosis, and management strategies can help prevent these complications.

Source: Ophthalmic surgery, lasers & imaging retina

DOI: 10.3928/23258160-20250425-01

Authors: Purna Nangia, Karen M. Wai, Adrienne W. Scott, Ehsan Rahimy, Prithvi Mruthyunjaya

Institutions: Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Language: English

Topic: Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Research to Prevent Blindness, Castle Biosciences, National Eye Institute