Sickle cell disease still carries a high morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to hospital. Recurrent admissions are a concern, as this impact on patient’s morbidity and quality of life.

Of the 252 adults who were admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies between 2000 and 2005, 78.6% were males. The patient’s age, gender, aetiology, place of trauma, hospitalization period and surgical intervention were assessed to determine the burden of ocular disease on the population.