Ocular Complications of Sickle Cell Disease Among Patients in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary hemoglobinopathy with significant systemic manifestations, including a range of ocular complications that can lead to visual impairment if not detected and managed early. This study examines the pattern of ocular complications associated with sickle cell disease among patients attending the hematology outpatient clinic at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design will be employed, targeting 280 sickle cell disease patients who have been confirmed with hemoglobin SS or SC genotypes. Comprehensive ocular examinations will include anterior segment slit-lamp biomicroscopy, funduscopy, and visual field screening. Key outcomes of interest include proliferative sickle retinopathy, vitreous hemorrhage, anterior segment ischemia, and angioid streaks. Structured interviews will document disease history, frequency of vaso-occlusive crises, and prior eye examination history. Statistical analysis will involve descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The study anticipates higher rates of retinal complications in patients with more frequent crises and longer disease duration. Findings will be submitted to the hospital's hematology and ophthalmology departments to advocate for the integration of routine ocular screening into sickle cell disease management pathways. This research contributes to the clinical optometry literature on systemic eye co-morbidities in Nigeria's South East zone and promotes a multidisciplinary approach to sickle cell care. Keywords: sickle cell disease, ocular complications, sickle retinopathy, Enugu, hematology