Quantitative evaluation of the retinal venous tortuosity in chronic anaemic patients affected by beta-thalassaemia major.

AIMS: Retinal venous tortuosity (RVT) is a common finding in patients affected by different forms of chronic anaemia. The aims of this study were to quantify RVT in anaemic patients with beta-thalassaemia major and to verify whether it is related to some of the following parameters: patient's age, ferritin plasma level, and Desferrioxamine (DFX) daily dosage.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out. In total, 36 consecutive thalassaemic patients, treated with polytransfusion regimen and DFX, were age- and sex-matched with a control group of 36 normal subjects. All subjects bilaterally underwent red-free fundus photography, centred on the optic disc. The four main retinal veins were measured with a computer-assisted method.

RESULTS

Mean venous length in the thalassaemic group was significantly greater than that observed in the control group (P <0.001). In thalassaemic patients, no significant correlations between retinal venous length and, respectively, plasma ferritin level and DFX daily dosage were documented. Statistical analysis demonstrated a very significant association between patient's age and increased RVT only in thalassaemic patients (P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that patients with beta-thalassaemia major have increased RVT, as compared to normal subjects. In this selected anaemic population, patient's age, closely related to anaemia duration, is the only variable responsible for the RVT increment. This clinical sign indicates a long-standing duration of anaemia.