Blood Disorders Anemia Inherited Anemias Signs of Sickle Cell in Your Eyes By Troy Bedinghaus, OD Updated on July 16, 2023 Medically reviewed by Johnstone M. Kim, MD Print Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder caused by an inherited genetic mutation. People with sickle cell develop crescent-shaped red blood cells when there is reduced oxygen levels. These sickled red blood cells become stiff and do not flow easily through small blood vessels. When the sickle cells block the flow of blood through the body, extreme pain occurs, due to blood-starved tissues. People with sickle cell have extreme anemia because of the abnormal hemoglobin in their blood cells. Hemoglobin is a protein present in red blood cells that help to carry oxygen throughout the body. Stocktrek Images / Getty Images Sickle Cell and Your Eyes Sickle cell disease can affect many organs in the body, including the eyes. Eye signs can include the following: Eye redness caused by comma-shaped blood vessels Subconjunctival hemorrhage Atrophy or weakening of the iris New blood vessel growth (neovascularization) of the iris Snake-like shaped blood vessels Retinal hemorrhage Pigmentations in the retinal periphery Glistening deposits in the retina Salmon patch (orange-pink colored patches) in the retina Angioid streaks Retinal blood vessel occlusion Retinal neovascularization Retinal detachment One of the most common eye complications associated with sickle cell disease is a "sea fan-shaped frond" of new retinal blood vessel growth. The sea fan of vessels represents the eye's attempt to resupply the retina with oxygen. This sounds like a good thing, but the new blood vessels that grow are weak and can leak fluid and blood. They can also create traction on the retina and possibly tear it loose. When sickle cell disease worsens in the eye, it becomes proliferative sickle cell retinopathy. This worsening can create severe hemorrhages in the eye and retinal detachment. A retinal specialist's goal is to prevent or eliminate retinal neovascularization before it gets to the point of destruction. Annual Eye Exams Comprehensive eye examinations should start no later than 10 years of age. Studies show that sickle cell retinopathy can start around that age. The eye exam should be a thorough dilated retina exam. Follow-up exams will be dependent on the findings. Typically, if the exam appears normal, it should be repeated annually. 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Pinto VM, Balocco M, Quintino S, Forni GL. Sickle cell disease: a review for the internist. Intern Emerg Med. 2019;14(7):1051-1064. doi:10.1007/s11739-019-02160-x Do BK, Rodger DC. Sickle cell disease and the eye. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2017;28(6):623-628. doi:10.1097/ICU.0000000000000423 Additional Reading Supplement to Review of Optometry, The Handbook of Ocular Disease Management, 13th Edition. 15 Apr 2011, pp 62A-65A. By Troy Bedinghaus, OD Troy L. Bedinghaus, OD, board-certified optometric physician, owns Lakewood Family Eye Care in Florida. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit