Diabetic Retinopathy and Sickle Trait
Diabetic Retinopathy and Sickle Trait
To more clearly ascertain the relationship between ocular manifestations of sickle cell
 disease and diabetes, specifically; whether the presence of sickle cell trait exacerbates the
 disease progression of diabetic retinopathy.
The objective of this research study is to evaluate the relationship between sickle cell
 trait and the progression of diabetic retinopathy. People with diabetes have high blood sugar
 that damages small blood vessels. Damage to the blood vessels that supply the retina in the
 back of the eye is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is worse in
 African-Americans with diabetes, with earlier and more severe disease progression and common
 complications including vitreous hemorrhage - where these blood vessels in the eye leak - and
 retinal detachment - the separation of the nerves of the retina from the back of the eye
 which may lead to blindness. One explanation for this increased severity of diabetes in
 African-Americans is the presence of sickle cell disease, or even just sickle trait, which
 causes damage to red blood cells and blood vessels under conditions of stress; like low
 oxygen levels, or hyperglycemic acidosis.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Self-identified African-American patients with diabetes will be identified from Dr
 Bowie's retina clinic at Storm Eye Institute.

 -  These subjects are either being screened or treated for the progression of diabetic
 retinopathy.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  None