Purpose. To present the case of a 27-year-old male patient with stage IV proliferative sickle cell retinopathy, treated with one
intravitreal injection of
ranibizumab, showing regression of the neovascularization and no recurrence at the 9-month follow-up. Methods. A 27-year-old male patient presented with blurred vision and floaters in the right eye since three days. His best corrected visual acuity was 6/18. Ophthalmological examination and
fluorescein angiography revealed proliferative sickle cell retinopathy stage IV with
vitreous hemorrhage and
sea fan neovascularization, as well as ischemic areas at the temporal periphery. Results. The patient was treated with one
intravitreal injection of
ranibizumab, presenting improvement in the visual acuity from 6/18 to 6/6, resolution of
vitreous hemorrhage, and regression of the neovascularization. Additionally, he underwent scatter
laser photocoagulation at the ischemic areas. At the 9-month follow-up there was no recurrence, while no adverse effects were noticed. Conclusions. Intravitreal
ranibizumab may be a useful adjunct to
laser photocoagulation in the management of proliferative sickle cell retinopathy and may permit some patients to avoid pars plana
vitrectomy for
vitreous hemorrhage.