Microvascular abnormalities in steady-state SCD
| Steady-state microvascular characteristics . | Patients with nonsevere SCD complications (n = 11) . | Patients with severe SCD complications (n = 7) . | Normal controls (n = 18) . |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comma signs | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Blood sludging | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| Box car phenomenon | 8 | 7 | 1 |
| Damaged vessels | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Distended vessels | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Tortuous vessels | 7 | 7 | 2* |
| Sacculated vessels | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| Microaneurysms | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Steady-state microvascular characteristics . | Patients with nonsevere SCD complications (n = 11) . | Patients with severe SCD complications (n = 7) . | Normal controls (n = 18) . |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comma signs | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Blood sludging | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| Box car phenomenon | 8 | 7 | 1 |
| Damaged vessels | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| Distended vessels | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Tortuous vessels | 7 | 7 | 2* |
| Sacculated vessels | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| Microaneurysms | 1 | 4 | 0 |
These 2 controls were contact lens users. A study has shown that the large conjunctival vessels are tortuous around the edge of the contact lens (A.T.W.C., et al, unpublished data, 1996-1997).