[Retinopathy as a sickle-cell trait: myth or reality?].

INTRODUCTION

The retinopathy of sickle cell diseases is an ischemic retinopathy that occurs frequently in the major forms of HbSS and HbSC sickle cell diseases. The retinopathy of sickle trait HbAS has not been described extensively.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The aim of this study was to describe the retinal characteristics and thus gain better knowledge of sickle trait HbAS retinopathy. Seventy HbAS patients had a complete ocular examination including fluorescein angiography.

RESULTS

Seventy percent of the patients had retinal lesions, with 49.3% non-vasoproliferative lesions, 22.7% prevasoproliferative lesions and 2.7% neovascular lesions.

DISCUSSION AND

CONCLUSION

Retinopathy is associated with the HbAS sickle cell trait, but it is less serious than in the major forms of sickle cell syndrome.