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Sherwin J. Isenberg, MD; William E. McRee, MD; Michael S. Jedrzynski, MD; Steven N. Gange, MD; Sherri L. Gange, MD

Arch Intern Med. 1987;147(1):67-69.

Abstract
• Because conjunctival vessels are affected by sickle cell disease, we wanted to see if conjunctival Po₂ (partial oxygen tension) and temperature were also affected and if these measurements could aid in managing these patients. Conjunctival Po₂ and temperature in 23 asmptomatic homozygous patients with sickle cell anemia did not differ significantly from those in age-matched controls. However, 12 subjects in painful sickle cell crisis had a significantly lower conjunctival Po₂ than before crisis despite no significant change in hematocrit and conjunctival temperature. Supplemental oxygen therapy significantly increased conjunctival Po₂. When supplemental oxygen was removed, conjunctival Po₂ decreased to the admission level despite clinical improvement. This finding supports the use of supplemental oxygen in treating crisis. Measuring conjunctival Po₂ can give clinicians an assessment of the effect of sickle cell disease on a peripheral capillary bed and may provide the first objective method to reliably diagnose acute painful sickle cell crisis.

(Arch Intern Med 1987;147:67-69)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles; Harbor—UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, Calif; and the Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication May 27, 1986.

Reprint requests to Department of Ophthalmology, Harbor—UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W Carson St, Box 6, Torrance, CA 90509 (Dr Isenberg).

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