Unusual presentation of tractional retinal detachment in beta thalassemia minor

PURPOSE: To report a case of proliferative retinopathy with tractional retinal detachment associated with beta thalassemia minor in a 27-year-old female. OBSERVATIONS: A young lady having beta thalassemia minor presented with decreased vision in both eyes, the effect being more severe in her right eye. The patient's other systemic history, including ophthalmic history, was unremarkable. The fundus examination revealed peripheral retinal ischemia in both eyes and tractional retinal detachment in the right eye. CONCLUSION: Beta thalassemia minor is not associated with striking retinal pathology, nevertheless proliferative retinopathy. However, in this case the patient developed tractional retinal detachment that required surgery. This indicates that proliferative changes may develop in patients with beta thalassemia, and routine fundus examinations could be recommended for these patients.