SICKLE RETINOPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH SICKLE TRAIT

Sickle trait is traditionally considered a benign condition by ophthal mologists. Three cases of sickle retinopathy in subjects with sickle t rait are reported. In all cases the onset of retinopathy was related t o other contributing factors: in one case a traumatic hyphaema and rai sed intraocular pressure, in two others diabetes mellitus. Patients,vi th sickle trait are at risk of retinopathy if coincident ocular or sys temic disease is present.