Introduction: The frequency of sickle cell disease varies from 5% to 20% in Africa.

Patients and method: This retrospective study investigated 173 patients in an ambulatory setting from August 2000 to July 2006. The study included 98 women and 75 men, aged 15-62 years, with a mean age of 26.7 years.

Results: Only 89 patients (71 SC and 18 SS) were seen in ophthalmology, 44 (49%) had sickle cell retinopathy with 26 (29%) cases nonproliferative and 18 cases proliferative (20%). Among the 71 SC patients, 35 (50%) had sickle cell retinopathy, with 40% the proliferative form. Of the 18 SS patients, nine had a retinopathy (50%), with four cases proliferative.

Discussion: Retinopathy is a frequent complication of sickle cell disease, which can lead to blindness, and its management better accessibility to the ophthalmologic examination and preventive treatment by laser photo coagulation.

rétinopathie drépanocytaire, facteurs pronostiques, épidémiologie, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso