Retinopathy with Sickle Cell Trait

Presenting Symptom: Blurred vision OD; Cotton wool spots. Pathology: Retinal hemorrhage. Clinical: A 51-year old black male whose initial complaint was blurred vision of the right eye. The fundus showed hemorrhages and cotton wool spots in the general area corresponding to the inferior macular vessels. The abundant cotton wool spots would be most unusual for simple venous occlusion. Sickle cell trait usually results in occlusion of the peripheral vessels where the circulation is believed to be more sluggish than in the central areas. Disease/ Diagnosis: Retinopathy associated with sickle cell trait.