Severe proliferative retinopathy as the only sign of sickle cell hemoglobin C disease.
A 48-year-old black woman developed severe bilateral hypoxic proliferative retinopathy without other clinical manifestations. The hemoglobin level was 10.6 to 11.5 g/100 ml, reticulocyte level was 2.2%, targeted and sickled red blood cells were seen on blood smears, and hemoglobins S and C were demonstrated by electrophoresis. Glucose tolerance test was normal. The development of neovascular proliferation, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment unassociated with other clinical symptoms is unusual in sickle cell hemoglobin C disease.
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005132:Eye Manifestations; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006445:Hemoglobin C Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging