Exudative retinal detachment in hemoglobin SC disease

A 21-year-old black man with hemoglobin SC disease had a unilateral exudative retinal detachment. A large area of sea fan neovascularization was identified in this eye at the superotemporal border of the detachment; no retinal holes were present. Following closure of the neovascularization by argon laser photocoagulation using feeder vessel technique, the retina flattened and the exudation cleared. However, multiple holes developed in thin ischemic retina at foci of vitreoretinal traction. Although many retinal vascular diseases may cause exudative detachments, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first definite case of exudative retinal detachment in a patient with a sickling hemoglobinopathy.