Sickle cell retinopathy

Sickle cell disease is an imported recessive autosomic genetic disease. Around 40% of the patients develop, among others, alteration of peripheral vessels of the retina, according to traditional studies. 14 patients, with an average age of 21, are studied with wide-field angiography (WF-AGF). Though peripheral ischemia is present in all patients, shunts (62.5%) and neovessels (37.5%) have also been found. WF-AGF is a must when managing patients with sickle cell disease.

This article was submitted to and accepted by the Catalan Society of Ophthalmology and is available for download and consultation on its website.

In the province of Girona, we have the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease in Spain, as a result of immigration from Senegal and Gambia. This data collection, carried out prior to COVID-19, aims to help disseminate knowledge of the pathology and improve its study. Unfortunately, the economic interests of the developed world are not focused on this disease, and the available scientific studies date back to the last century. More research is needed.