Skip to main content
Log in

Loss of vision associated with angioid streaks in β-thalassemia intermedia

  • Case Report
  • Published:
International Journal of Hematology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An acquired diffuse elastic tissue defect that resembles inherited pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) has been noticed with a significant age-related frequency in hemoglobin disorders, especially β-thalassemia and has been held responsible for a number of complications observed in these cases, some of which are quite severe. We report here two patients with β-thalassemia intermedia, who presented with severe visual acuity impairment associated with angioid streaks, the typical ocular manifestation of PXE.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

References

  1. Gurwood AS, Mastrangelo DL. Understanding angioid streaks. J Am Optom Assoc. 1997;68:309–24.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Goodman G, von Sallman L, Holland MG. Ocular manifestations of sickle cell disease. Arch Ophthalmol. 1957;58:655.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Aessopos A, Farmakis D, Loukopoulos D. Elastic tissue abnormalities resembling pseudoxanthoma elasticum in beta thalassemia and the sickling syndromes. Blood. 2002;99:30–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Aessopos A, Samarkos M, Voskaridou E, et al. Arterial calcifications in beta-thalassemia. Angiology. 1998;49:137–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Aessopos A, Savvides P, Stamatelos G, et al. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like skin lesions and angioid streaks in beta-thalassemia. Am J Hematol. 1992;41:159–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Bercovitch L, Terry P. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum 2004. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51:S13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Baccarani-Contri M, Bachelli B, Boraldi F, et al. Characterization of pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like lesions in the skin of patients with beta thalassemia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2001;44:33–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Hamlin N, Beck K, Bacchelli B, Cianculli P, Pasquali-Ronchetti I, Le Saux O. Acquired Pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like syndrome in beta-thalassemia patients. Br J Haematol. 2003;122:852–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Moriarty BJ, Webb DK, Serjeant GR. Treatment of subretinal neovascularization associated with angioid streaks in sickle cell retinopathy. Case report. Arch Ophthalmol. 1987;105:1327–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Gibson JM, Chaudhuri PR, Rosenthal AR. Angioid streaks in a case of beta thalassemia major. Br J Ophthalmol. 1983;67:29–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Aessopos A, Stamatelos G, Savvides P, et al. Angioid streaks in homozygous beta thalassemia. Am J Ophtalmol. 1989;108:356–9.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Theodossiadis G, Ladas I, Koutsandrea C, Damanakis A, Petroutsos G. Thalassemia and macular subretinal neovascularization. J Fr Ophthalmol. 1984;7:115–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Farmakis D, Horeftaki P, Kavouklis M, Aessopos A. Visual loss associated with angioid streaks in sickle thalassemia. Haematologica. 2005;90:ECR02.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Heimann H, Gelisken F, Wachtlin J, et al. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for choroidal neovascularization associated with angioid streaks. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2005;243:1115–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Thomas MA, Dickinson JD, Melberg NS, et al. Visual results after removal of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes. Ophthalmology. 1994;101:1384–96.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Roth DB, Estafanous M, Lewis H. Macular translocation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in angioid streaks. Am J Ophthalmol. 2001;131:390–2.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charalampos S. Floudas.

About this article

Cite this article

Aessopos, A., Floudas, C.S., Kati, M. et al. Loss of vision associated with angioid streaks in β-thalassemia intermedia. Int J Hematol 87, 35–38 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-007-0014-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-007-0014-y

Keywords

Navigation