Ocular Complications of Sickle Cell Disease Among Patients at Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with a spectrum of ocular complications including proliferative sickle retinopathy, vitreous haemorrhage, and retinal detachment, with the potential for profound visual loss in affected individuals. This study documents the pattern of ocular complications among sickle cell disease patients attending Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, Delta State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional hospital-based study will be conducted over four months among all patients with confirmed SCD attending the haematology clinic who consent to ophthalmic evaluation. Comprehensive ophthalmic examination will include visual acuity testing, dilated fundus examination using indirect ophthalmoscopy, and fluorescein angiography where available. Sickle cell genotype, haematological parameters, age, and disease history will be retrieved from clinical records. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression will identify factors associated with ocular involvement. Studies indicate that proliferative sickle retinopathy, particularly SC disease genotype, poses the highest risk of vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachment, yet routine ophthalmic screening is not standard practice in most Nigerian SCD clinics. This study provides Delta State-specific evidence supporting mandatory integration of ophthalmic screening into SCD clinic protocols. Recommendations will address training haematology nurses in recognising ocular symptoms, establishing shared care models between haematology and ophthalmology departments, and providing laser photocoagulation services for proliferative sickle retinopathy. Keywords: sickle cell disease, sickle retinopathy, proliferative retinopathy, Delta State, FMC Asaba