There is no evidence that low iron causes blurred vision. However, low iron can cause retinal changes leading to anemic retinopathy. Eye symptoms of low iron can include a pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids.
If the retina does not receive enough oxygen, the blood vessels behind the eye can become damaged, causing vision problems. Iron deficiency anemia can also lead to central vein occlusion, retinal artery occlusion, or optic neuropathy. In extremely rare cases, it can also possibly lead to vision loss.
But too much iron – or problems with utilizing, storing, or transporting iron properly – can lead to vision loss in the form of conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and hyperferritinemia syndrome, according to recent research findings.
Blurred vision can be caused by eye conditions, including: difficulty focusing your eyesight, such as with near-sightedness or far-sightedness. astigmatism (when the surface of the eye isn't curved properly) presbyopia (when your eyes find it harder to focus as you age)
Inflammation or soreness of your tongue. Brittle nails. Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or starch. Poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia.
In general, patients with iron deficient anemia should manifest a response to iron with reticulocytosis in three to seven days, followed by an increase in hemoglobin in 2-4 weeks.
Focusing your eyes on something for extended periods can strain them. Too much screen time from using smartphones or computers, reading without sufficient light, and driving in poor visibility conditions can all cause eye strain, which may eventually lead to sudden blurred vision.
Common causes of blurry vision in one eye include refractive errors, infections, migraine, and cataracts. Most causes of blurry vision are not serious. However, it is important to consult a doctor about sudden or persistent blurry vision, as it could be a symptom of a condition that requires treatment.
There are a number of conditions that may cause blurred vision, a headache, and dizziness to occur simultaneously, these include: Migraine. Inner ear inflammation (labyrinthitis) Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Iron is implicated in the pathogenesis of cataracts because of its participation in the formation of oxygen free radicals [14] [18] [19] as well as the fact that iron foreign bodies in the eye cause cataracts[20].
"If you actually ask women who have iron deficiency what their symptoms are, fatigue and tiredness is there but right at the top of the list is brain fog and that's what women described — it's the inability to think clearly," says Professor Toby Richards.
Iron is essential for life, but excess iron can be toxic. As a potent free radical creator, iron generates hydroxyl radicals leading to significant oxidative stress. Since iron is not excreted from the body, it accumulates with age in tissues, including the retina, predisposing to age-related oxidative insult.
If a headache occurs with blurred vision or causes it, it may be due to an underlying condition such as migraine and low blood sugar.
Specifically, iron plays an important role in how your body makes the neurotransmitters called serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine – all of them important in mental health. Research suggests a connection between low iron levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, Levin and Gattari write.
If your blood sugar levels change quickly from low to normal, the shape of your eye's lens can be affected and your vision can be blurred.
HBP can harm your eyesight in many ways
Your eyes contain many tiny blood vessels. When subjected to the long-term effects of high blood pressure, the following conditions can develop: Blood vessel damage (retinopathy): A lack of blood flow to the retina leads to blurred vision or the complete loss of sight.
Left untreated, however, iron-deficiency anemia can make you feel tired and weak. You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath.
With treatment, most people recover from iron-deficiency anemia in 2 to 3 months. You may need to take iron supplements for several months longer, though, to build up your reserves of iron.
Although you won't feel the benefits of taking ferrous sulphate instantly, it won't take too long to show its effects. In most cases, people begin to see signs of improvement in iron deficiency symptoms after around 1 week. The full effects are likely to be felt within 4 weeks of taking the supplement.
Common causes of iron deficiency include not getting enough iron in your diet, chronic blood loss, pregnancy and vigorous exercise. Some people become iron deficient if they are unable to absorb iron. Iron deficiency can be treated by adding iron-rich foods to the diet.
Treatment for iron-deficiency anemia will depend on its cause and severity. Treatments may include dietary changes and supplements, medicines, and surgery. Severe iron-deficiency anemia may require a blood transfusion, iron injections, or intravenous (IV) iron therapy. Treatment may need to be done in a hospital.
Blue sclera is a common and useful finding of iron deficiency but is often overlooked. In 1908, Sir William Osler first described a blue discoloration of the sclera as a symptom of anemia in young girls and wrote that the eyes “have a peculiar brilliancy and the sclerotics are of a bluish color”.