Sickle Cell Retinopathy
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Title: Sickle Cell Retinopathy
Author: Elizabeth Ann Urias, MSIV
Photographer:
Date: 06/24/2016
Image or video:
Keywords/Main Subjects: Sickle cell disease; sickle cell retinopathy; microvascular occlusion; retinal hemorrhage; salmon patch;
Diagnosis: Sickle Cell Retinopathy: Salmon Patch Hemorrhage
Description of Image: In sickle cell hemaglobinopathy, RBC sickling causes peripheral retinal arteriolar occlusion, leading to ischemic necrosis and weakening of the vessel walls. Fragile vessels result in hemorrhages in one or more layers of the retina. An intra-retinal hemorrhage is round or oval shaped, bright red, and measures ¼-1 disc diameter. In days or weeks, this bright red color becomes a salmon color, which is known as a “salmon patch.” After time, hemoglobin degradation occurs and the defect appears as bright yellow dots at several layers of the sensory retina, also known as “iridescent bodies.” (Bonanomi & Lavezzo, 2013)
References:
- Bonanomi, M. T. B. C., & Lavezzo, M. M. (2013). Sickle cell retinopathy: diagnosis and treatment. Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia, 76(5), 320–327.
Faculty Approval by: Griffin Jardine, MD
Identifier: Moran_CORE_21668
Financial Disclosures: None
Copyright statement: Copyright 2017. Please see terms of use page for more information.
