Proliferative Sickle Cell Retinopathy: A Patient and a Physician’s Perspective on Quality of Life and Quality of Eye Care

Abstract

Abstract The impact of visual impairment in the context of sickle cell disease is poorly understood. Despite the significant advancements over the past three decades in retinal imaging and in the understanding of molecular mechanisms that drive retinal neovascularization, there has been little improvement in the management of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy. This article is co-authored by a patient impacted by proliferative sickle cell retinopathy. She highlights her personal experience of sight loss from proliferative sickle cell retinopathy and the impact on her daily life and mental health. Subsequent to diagnosis and management of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, she continues to live with irreversible sight loss and provides crucial insight from a patient’s perspective into the broad lack of high-quality educational materials online and lack of understanding of the disease within the clinical community. This article aims to provide a strong narrative to emphasize the need for further qualitative and quantitative research in this area, to bring about the holistic step-change required to improve visual outcomes and eyecare for people with sickle cell disease.

Keywords

• Sickle cell disease
• Sickle cell retinopathy
• Patient perspective
• Retinal screening