title: Temporal Macular Atrophy as a Predictor of Neovascularization in Sickle Cell Retinopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between temporal macular atrophy and the presence of neovascularization in eyes with sickle cell disease (SCD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, case-controlled study identifying 64 eyes from 38 consecutive patients with SCD. Dilated funduscopic examination and wide-field fluorescein angiography were used to identify the Goldberg stage of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images were analyzed for the presence of temporal macular atrophy. The association between temporal macular atrophy and neovascularization was then evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Temporal macular atrophy had a sensitivity of 27%, a specificity of 67%, a positive predictive value of 83%, and a negative predictive value of 13% for identifying neovascularization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the presence of temporal macular atrophy is not sensitive enough to be used as a screening test, if seen in a patient with SCD, the physician should be alerted to the strong possibility that peripheral neovascularization may be present.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hood
authors.forename: Rocio I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Sigler
authors.forename: Jorge I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Calzada
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001284:Atrophy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D055815:Young Adult