Anemia, a deficiency in healthy red blood cells, can affect the appearance of the eyes and eyelids.
It can also cause eye damage, a condition known asanemic retinopathy, sometimes called “anemia eyes.”
The symptoms involve worsening vision, and anemic retinopathy can take a long time to cause noticeable effects.
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An eye doctor can detect the changes by examining your eyes.
Treatment for your anemia can help improve your eye symptoms.
Becoming pale (lighter in color) can indicate anemia.
Reasons for Eye Changes
Anemia has several types and causes.
Each punch in of anemia affects your eyes differently, which can lead to anemic retinopathy.
Anemia is brought on by a decrease in red blood cells or their ability to adequately carry oxygen.
Reasons for eye changes in anemia include:
Is Anemia Diagnosed From the Eyes Alone?
You will also need periodic eye exams to detect if the retinopathy is improving.
Additionally, in some cases, you may benefit from treatment for the effects of anemia on your eyes.
This can include corrective eyewear, medication, or surgery.
These changes may not be able to be corrected.
Discuss your prognosis with an eye doctor.
Prevention
The best way to prevent anemic retinopathy is to take measures to not develop anemia.
It’s also essential to be treated for anemia before it causes eye damage.
You may also need to see a hematologist.
Diminished vision is the main symptom of anemic retinopathy.
It can take a while to notice symptoms.
Anemic retinopathy can be diagnosed with an eye examination or imaging tests of the eyes.
Often, anemia eyes can be treated before permanent damage occurs.
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