Optical Coherence Tomography Changes in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Author: Ömer Özer (Turkey)

Co-authors: Erdem Dinç, Özgün Oktay, Özer Dursun, Mustafa Vatansever

Purpose

The purpose of free paper is to compare the optical coherence tomography (OCT) changes of the control group and patients with sickle cell disease.

Setting/Venue

This study was conducted between December 2020 and March 2021 in Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.

Methods

The OCT examinations performed on 48 eyes of 24 patients with sickle cell diseases who applied to the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University between December 2020 and March 2021 were retrospectively screened. The changes seen were analyzed with a scale divided into 9 sectors according to the ETDRS protocol and compared with a control group (40 eyes of 20 patients) of completely healthy individuals with similar age and gender distribution.

Results

Of the 24 patients, 7 (29,2%) were male and 17 (70,8%) were female. The average age was 38.7 ± 10.129 years (min - max: 23 - 58 years). Four (20%) of the 20 patients in the control group were male and 16 (% 80) were female. The average age was 37.51 ± 8.45 years (min - max: 25 - 60 years). The OCT measurements for both groups were evaluated using a grid divided into 9 sectors (nasal inner, nasal outer, temporal inner, temporal outer, superior inner, superior outer, inferior inner, inferior outer and fovea) according to the ETDRS protocol. Full thickness measurements of the patients: nasal inner 334,25 ± 24,30 µm, nasal outer 313,5 ± 19,01 µm, temporal inner 304,75 ± 28,85 µm, temporal outer 275,66 ± 16,51 µm, superior inner 327,58 ± 27,53 µm, superior outer 268,25 ± 11,85 µm, inferior inner 322,41 ± 19,65 µm, inferior outer 288,6 ± 17,67 µm and fovea was 274,08 ± 41,27 µm. Macular volume was 8,32 ± 0,542 mm³. Changes in temporal inner, superior outer and macular volume were found to be significantly lower in the control group. (p = 0.01, p = 0.002, p = 0.01, respectively)

Conlusions

Consequently, sickle cell disease can cause blindness that may be accompanied by retinopathy. Those with this disease need careful examination of the retina and use of imaging methods. The importance of our study is to draw attention to the need for periodic ophthalmologic monitoring in patients with anemia since childhood, aiming at prevention, diagnosis and early treatment of the disease.

Financial Disclosure

We have no financial interest to disclose.