Introduction
Sickle Cell causes RBC to deform into a sickle shape, and obstruct BV. Stiffer than usual
- 1 in every 500 African-American
- Also found in people of numerous ethnicity
Dead Giveaways
Sunburst Lesions:
Very characteristics, and is a circular group of mixed hyper and hypo pigmentation
They are classically found in the mid-peripheral retina adjacent to the BV, forming when a subretinal haemorrhage is reabsorbed and appear hypo-AF with a hyper-AF border
Note the uneven hyper/hypo pigmentation On the OCT:
RPE is disrupted evidently, and pigment migrates to the inner retinal layers.
Shows the pigment migration. Increased reflectivity of RPE is due to hypertrophy of cells. Sunburst lesions are thus areas of localised retinal pigments and its migration, hypertrophy and hyperplasia.
diagnostic features
Though this is not a very distinct feature, sea-fan neovascularisation can occur.
This naturally has cicatricial sequelae, including tractional RD, haemorrhage and NV glaucoma
Note the very dilated, tortuous and disorganised sea-fan neovascularisation Can develop vision loss when occlusion occurs in the parafoveal capillaries and arteries. The occlusion of the central retinal artery can also occur, leading to CRAO.