Loss of vision associated with angioid streaks in beta-thalassemia intermedia.
An acquired diffuse elastic tissue defect that resembles inherited pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) has been noticed with a significant age-related frequency in hemoglobin disorders, especially beta-thalassemia and has been held responsible for a number of complications observed in these cases, some of which are quite severe. We report here two patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia, who presented with severe visual acuity impairment associated with angioid streaks, the typical ocular manifestation of PXE.
Aessopos
Athanasios
A
First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens Medical School, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Floudas
Charalampos S
CS
Kati
Maria
M
Tsironi
Maria
M
Giakoumi
Xanthoula
X
Livir-Rallatos
Charalampos
C
Farmakis
Dimitrios
D
D000328:Adult; D000793:Angioid Streaks / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications*