Differences Between Anemic and Normal Eyes
Anemic eyes differ from normal eyes primarily in their appearance and function. Anemic eyes often appear paler due to reduced blood flow and oxygen supply, while normal eyes have a healthy, vibrant color. Functionally, anemic eyes may experience issues like blurred vision or fatigue, unlike normal eyes. Understanding these differences can help in the early detection and treatment of anemia.
What Are Anemic Eyes?
The term anemic eyes refer to the ocular manifestation which can be present in individuals suffering from anemia. Anemia is a medical condition in which the patient has a deficiency in the number or the quality of the red blood cells. Anmenia can affect eyes in patients differently, differing between the affected parts of the eye.
For instance, a common symptom of anemic eyes are retinal changes, such as small round hemorrhages and small red dots [1]. In severe cases, anemia can also lead to retinal hemorrhages at multiple levels and serious retinal detachment in both eyes [2].
Further, changes in retinal and choroidal thickness can also be observed. Patients with anemia have thicker retina and choroid compared to normal healthy controls [3]. Although in cases of iron deficiency anemia, patients tend to have significantly reduced choroidal thickness [4].
Anemic eyes can also show retinal plebitis, which is a condition in which your retinal veins are inflamed [5]. Anemia can also lead to ocular neovascularization referring to the growth of new blood vessels in the eye [4]. Further, anemia can lead to congenital glaucoma [6].
In addition to this, patients with anemia can experience an ocular manifestation of anemia such as conjunctival pallor, cotton wool spots, Roth spots, subhyaloid hemorrhage, venous dilatation, disc edema or anterior ischemic optic neuropathy [7].
However, patients vary in their individual manifestation of symptoms of anemia and hence not everyone with anemia presents with anemic eyes. Although regular ophthalmic examination is recommended.
What Causes Anemic Eyes Caused?
Anemic eyes, can be caused by multiple conditions related to anemia. As we mentioned previously, one common cause of anemic eyes are retinal hemorrhages, which refers to small round hemorrhages and red dots seen in the fundi of the eyes [1].
Another cause of anemic eyes is retinal arterial occlusion, which is a rare complication of iron deficiency anemia. It can even lead to a sudden painless diminution of vision [7].
Severe damage of the retina, retinal hemorrhages and retinal edema can also lead to vision loss [2]. Retinal hemorrhages can occur in patients with concomitant severe anemia and thrombocytopenia [8]. Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) can be a complication of anemic retinopathy and can lead to severe visual loss without early medication [9]. Severe bilateral hemorrhagic retinopathy secondary to aplastic anemia can lead to severe visual loss [10].
Central retinal vein occlusion can also lead to anemic eyes and has been associated with mild iron deficiency anemia [11]. Severe proliferative retinopathy and tractional retinal detachment can occur in profound anemia [12].
In severe cases of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, white-centered retinal hemorrhages can occur, leading to diminished visual acuity [13].
What Is The Difference Between Anemic Eyes And Normal Eyes?
One of the key differences between normal and anemic eyes are the thickness of the retina and choroid. Studies have shown that patients with anemia have a thicker retina and choroid compared to normal healthy controls [3]. Whereas others reported significantly reduced choroidal thickness compared to healthy individuals [8, 4].
Further, the differences lay in the retinal and choroidal microvascular structures. For instance, patients with anemia show a higher tendency for retinal and choroidal microvascular morphological changes [14]. Patients with anemia can also experience extravascular lesions in the retina, which is not normal for healthy individuals [15].
Another area where we can observe differences between patients with anemia and healthy individuals is retinal oxygen saturation. In such, it higher mean oxygen saturation in anemic eyes was reported [9].
In conclusion, anemic eyes exhibit several distinct characteristics, including changes in retinal and choroidal thickness, microvascular morphological changes, and differences in retinal oxygen saturation.