Abstract

VILLARES ALVAREZ, Icilany et al. Ocular manifestations in drepanocytosis. Rev Cubana Oftalmol [online]. 2009, vol.22, n.2, pp. 131-139. ISSN 1561-3070.

Drepanocytosis is the most common congenital hemolytic anemia in Cuba. The onset of fundamental clinical manifestations is due to vascular occlusion and shortened red cell life. This disease may affect all the anatomical structures of the eye, the organ that may provide the only opportunity for seeing the vasocclusive process. The most characteristic signal is the onset of coma-like postcapillary venular segments that are considered as diagnosis of the disease, although they are not pathognomonic because they may be found in other hemopathies. The effect of the anterior segment is characterized by conjunctival injection, corneal edema and keratic precipitates. Later on, there is iris atrophy and depigmentation. Iris rubeosis has been reported. There have been described a wide variety of lesions caused by vasocclusion in the posterior segment; occasionally, they neither lead to decreased vision nor require specific treatment. Proliferative retinopathy of drepanocytosis is more frequently found in patients with hemoglobinopathy SC; it may have spontaneous regression and is different from other entities with retinal ischemia in that the lesions are generally located toward the periphery and do not affect the central vision of the patient.

Keywords : Drepanocytosis; clinical manifestations.

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