OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ANAEMIA.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. B. Malleswari,
Flat No. 307, V. V. Vintage Residency,
Opp. IOB Bank, Rajbhavan Road,
Hyderabad-82,
Telangana, India.
E-mail: malleswari.bobbili@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Anaemia is a haematologic disorder presenting with ocular manifestations. It can affect all parts of the eye and adnexa, conjunctival pallor and retinopathy being common manifestations of nutritional anaemia. Retinal damage occurs due to hypoxia, venous stasis, angiospasm and increased capillary permeability. Incidence of retinopathy is increased with severity of anaemia.

The main aim of the study is to observe the involvement of different parts of the eye in anaemia and the eye manifestations in anaemia. The study included 120 patients diagnosed with anaemia due to various aetiologies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, 120 patients attending the medical outpatient in Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad diagnosed with anaemia between July 2016-June 2018 were selected. All the patients were subjected to physical examination and complete blood picture. The patients with anaemia were identified and detailed ocular examination was done. Patients with positive fundus findings were subjected to fundus photographs with Topcon fundus camera. All the patients attending the medical outpatient department in Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad, diagnosed with anaemia during the study period of 2 years from July 2016-June 2018 were included and thereby a sample size of 120 patients was considered as study population based on convenience sampling. Patients with Diabetes and Hypertension were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

Conjunctival pallor is the commonest finding observed in patients (93.3%) out of 120 patients. Superficial retinal haemorrhages in (34.1%) out of 120 patients. Deep retinal haemorrhages in (29.1%). Posterior pole pallor in (46.6%) patients out of 120 patients. Incidence of retinopathy is high in patients with severe anaemia and thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION

Anaemia can cause various ocular manifestations. Patients presenting with conjunctival pallor should be investigated for anaemia. Patients with moderate-to-severe anaemia should be subjected to fundus examination, as it may be associated with anaemic retinopathy. Severity of retinal haemorrhages depends on the severity of anaemia. Early diagnosis of anaemic retinopathy helps in early treatment of anaemia and thus resolution of retinal haemorrhages.

KEY WORDS

Anaemia, Retinopathy, Conjunctival Pallor, Fundus Examination.