A Randomized Clinical Trial of Feeder Vessel Photocoagulation of Proliferative Sickle Cell Retinopathy: I. Preliminary Results

A randomized prospective clinical trial of feeder vessel photocoagulation for proliferative sickle cell retinopathy was performed. In Chicago there were 34 argon laser-treated eyes and 30 control eyes. In Kingston there were 53 xenon arc treated eyes and 50 control eyes. Prolonged loss of visual acuity was rare in both photocoagulated and control eyes. Argon laser and xenon arc feeder vessel photocoagulation reduced the incidence of vitreous hemorrhage and visual loss from vitreous hemorrhage. However, photocoagulation was associated with an increased risk of choroidal neovascularization (xenon arc greater than argon laser) and retinal detachment (argon laser), although visual loss from these complications has not been seen in these patients so far.