From the Research
The appropriate management for anemia diagnosed during an eye exam involves prompt referral to a primary care physician for comprehensive evaluation and treatment, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. When ocular findings such as conjunctival pallor, retinal hemorrhages, or cotton wool spots suggest anemia, this should be considered an incidental finding requiring medical follow-up rather than ophthalmic management. The primary care physician should order a complete blood count to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type and severity of anemia, as suggested by 2 and 3. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may include oral iron supplementation for iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 injections for pernicious anemia, or folic acid supplementation for folate deficiency, as indicated by 4 and 1. Some key points to consider in the management of anemia include:
- The use of oral iron supplementation as first-line treatment for iron deficiency anemia, as recommended by 1
- The importance of determining the underlying cause of anemia, as emphasized by 2 and 3
- The potential role of vitamin D deficiency in anemia, as suggested by 5 Severe anemia may require blood transfusions. The eye care provider should communicate findings to the primary care doctor and schedule a follow-up eye examination after the anemia has been addressed, as resolution of the underlying condition often leads to improvement in ocular manifestations. Anemia management is important not only for systemic health but also because chronic anemia can exacerbate or contribute to various ocular conditions including retinopathy.