Publications
1. Empowering Vision: The Sickle Cell Retinopathy Network's Mission to Transform Care and Research (ASCAT 25-28 October 2023)
This presentation will introduce the core values of SCR.net. Our vision is clear: to reduce vision-threatening complications across all sickle cell genotypes through global collaboration and robust multicentre research. We outline the goals of SCR.net, including comprehensive education for healthcare professionals and patients, advocacy for improved ophthalmic care on a global scale and influential contributions to healthcare policy in both middle-income and low-income countries. Ultimately, our aspiration is for SCR.net to revolutionise SCR management and alleviate its impact on affected populations worldwide.
2. Investigating Publication Trends in Sickle Cell Retinopathy Over the Last 60 Years (ASCAT 25-28 October 2023)
This study takes a deep dive into publication trends related to SCR over the past six decades. It reveals a significant research imbalance, with the United States leading in contributions, followed by European Union countries and the United Kingdom, while African and Caribbean nations lag behind. International collaboration, particularly between high-income countries and those in West Africa and the Caribbean, is limited. The findings highlight the need for enhanced collaboration to improve the global understanding of SCR, particularly in regions with substantial disease burdens.
3. The Readability and Quality of Online Information on Sickle Cell Retinopathy for Patients (ASCAT 25-28 October 2023)
Within this study, we scrutinise the quality and readability of online health information concerning SCR for patients. Our research employs various evaluation tools and uncovers that while some online sources score moderately in quality, there is a scarcity of comprehensive content addressing this condition. Furthermore, the available information frequently falls short of recommended readability levels. These findings highlight the need for improved online resources to better educate patients about SCR, thereby bringing knowledge and empowerment to those who need it most.
4. The Sickle Cell Retinopathy Network - Transforming Care and Research
5. Peripheral Retinal Vascular Abnormalities in Patients with SIckle Cell Trait and Type 2 DIabetes Mellitus (The Royal Society of Medicine 12 June 2025)
Sickle cell trait (SCT) has traditionally been considered benign. However, emerging evidence suggests that SCT may contribute to vascular complications, particularly when coexisting with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) primarily affects the posterior pole (Shimizu et al, 1981). In contrast, proliferative sickle retinopathy
(PSR) involves a staged progression of peripheral vascular changes, including peripheral neovascularisation. The interaction between SCT and T2DM in retinal vascular disease remains underexplored.
6. Sickle Cell Retinopathy; Where Are We Now? Where Do We Need To Go ? (OSWI 9-12 JULY 2025)
The Sickle Cell Retinopathy Symposium, hosted by SCR.net, brought together international experts to discuss the past, present, and future of sickle cell disease and its retinal complications. The session explored global and historical perspectives, clinical features, advances in multimodal imaging, and current treatment approaches—culminating in a discussion on future directions and collaboration through SCR.net.
Speakers:
Professor Lizette Mowatt (Chair) • Ms. Evelyn Mensah • Dr. Basil Williams • Dr. Mohammed-Sherrif Fuseini
7. Developing Consensus Guidelines for the Screening, Diagnosis and Management of Sickle Cell Retinopathy: Global Delphi Study (ASCAT 1-4 October 2025)
This poster was presented by the Sickle Cell Retinopathy Network (SCR.net) at the ASCAT 2025 conference.
It showcases our ongoing work towards developing consensus guidelines for sickle cell retinopathy (SCR), a potentially blinding but under-recognised complication of sickle cell disease. By building global consensus, especially with expertise from regions where sickle cell is most prevalent, we aim to reduce the burden of preventable blindness from SCR.
8. Global publication trends on sickle cell and diabetic retinopathy over eight decades: a highlight on information disparity: SCRnet consortium paper 1
Background
Retinal vascular diseases pose significant challenges to ensuring global ocular health with consequent negative impacts on the well-being of individuals worldwide. This study explores the divergent research landscapes of Sickle Cell Retinopathy (SCR) and Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), two of the most common retinal vascular diseases, by comparing publication trends and assessing the relative research output on these two diseases across different countries.
Methods
A comprehensive search of PubMed and Scopus databases was conducted to collect relevant publications. Annual publication trends of various countries were analysed, along with the extent of international collaboration in DR and SCR research. Additionally, the distribution of declared funding sources, types of documents, and publication languages was examined.
Results
DR garnered substantially more publications (69,761) compared with SCR (1059). Notably, research efforts on both diseases were spearheaded by high-income countries, particularly the United States (US), European Union (EU) Member countries, and the United Kingdom. Conversely, African and Caribbean nations exhibited lower contributions to SCR research. International collaborations were more prevalent in DR research, which also received more declared funding sources compared to SCR. Furthermore, DR research was disseminated across a wider array of journals than SCR research. Research articles and reviews constituted the primary document types for both diseases, with English being the predominant language of the publications.
Conclusions
There are significant disparities in published research landscapes between SCR and DR, with the latter receiving far more attention. High-income countries, particularly the US and EU member countries, have played a pivotal role in driving research efforts for both conditions, while contributions from middle and low-income countries remain limited.
9. The Sickle Cell Retinopathy Network is leading global change in screening and management (Eye News)
Sickle cell retinopathy remains one of the most overlooked causes of vision loss worldwide, despite its devastating impact on young and working-age adults. The Sickle Cell Retinopathy Network (SCR.net) is changing that narrative, uniting experts from across continents to close the gap in research, screening, and care. Through global collaboration and equitable leadership, the network is building consensus on how, when, and whom to screen and treat. Discover how this initiative is reshaping the future of eye health in sickle cell disease.