[Hemoglobinopathies and retinopathies in Lomé UHC].

BACKGROUND

There are few publications concerning retinal complications of hemoglobinopathies in our country. We studied recruited patients to evaluate these complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From October 1993 to August 1995, 66 patients were recruited among clinical hematology out patients; all of them underwent acetate electrophoretic diagnosis and fluorescein angiographic examination.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 26,92 years, ranging from 5 years to 50 years; the genotypic forms were 34 SC (51.51%), 15 SS (22.72%), 11 AC (16.66%), 2 AS (3.03%), 2 CC (3.03%), and 2 A2F (3.03%). Thirty eight patients (57.57%) had retinopathies. The majority were proliferative retinopathies in 55,26% cases and in 44,73% non proliferarive retinopathies. These retinopathies were essentially present with SC (26 cases for 34 SC, 76.47%), predominantly proliferative forms (21 cases for 26 SC, 80.76%).

CONCLUSION

Retinal complications are common in Togolese sickle cell patients; clinical course usually leads to proliferations. Early screening could help improve prevention, including laser photocoagulation.