including white centered retinal hemorrhages (Roth spots) that occur in leukemia and other situations besides bacterial endocarditis
Involvement of the macula may result in permanent visual loss
Sickle cell retinopathy is particularly common in hemoglobin SC disease but may also occur with other hemoglobin S variants
Manifestations include “salmonpatch” preretinal/intraretinal hemorrhages, “black sunbursts” resulting from intraretinal hemorrhage, and new vessels
Severe visual loss is rare but more common in patients with pulmonary hypertension
Retinal laser photocoagulation reduces the frequency of vitreous hemorrhage from new vessels
Surgery is occasionally needed for persistent vitreous hemorrhage or tractional retinal detachment