Ia. Aldabbous et al., OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF HOMOZYGOUS SICKLE-CELL DISEASE IN QATIF, SAUDI-ARABIA - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT, Saudi medical journal, 15(5), 1994, pp. 373-375
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.