OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF HOMOZYGOUS SICKLE-CELL DISEASE IN QATIF, SAUDI-ARABIA - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Objective: To determine the frequency of ocular manifestations in Saud i homozygous sickle cell disease patients (SSD). Design: A prospective study. Setting: Paediatric and adult sickle cell clinics at Qatif Cen tral Hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Subjects: The subjects were 51 consecutive patients with confirmed SSD: 31 males and 20 femal es (M:F ratio 1.6:1). Mean age 18.6 years (range 5-38 years). Interven tions: Detailed ocular examination during steady state, including indi rect ophthalmoscopic retinal examination. Main outcome measures: Prese nce of SCD-related ocular manifestations in the conjunctiva, sclera, a nterior segment and retina. Results: Ocular abnormalities were found i n 13 patients (25.5%). Conjunctival abnormalities in ten patients (19. 6%), and peripheral retinal abnormalities in six patients (11.8%). No proliferative retinal abnormalities were found. Conclusion: The freque ncy of ocular manifestations is much lower in our patients compared wi th SSD patients of African descent.