Most people living with sickle cell spend a lot of time managing the things they can feel.
Like pain or fatigue.
So it’s understandable that the parts of the body that feel completely normal rarely get much attention.
Especially the eyes.
When it comes to the eyes, the focus is often the yellowing and the front of the eye.
But have you ever considered what’s going on at the back of your eyes?
Most people don’t.
The idea of attending yet another medical appointment can feel exhausting.
If your vision seems fine, it’s easy to think eye checks can wait.
But just because you can't feel or see anything doesn't mean sickle cell is giving your eyes a free pass.
It simply means sickle cell may be operating in stealth mode, silently affecting the back of the eye.
And the complication that can develop from this is called sickle cell retinopathy.
The retina is the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye that allows you to see.
In sickle cell disease, the tiny blood vessels supplying this area can sometimes become blocked over time.
What makes this complication tricky is that it can progress for years without affecting your vision.
Many people don’t notice anything unusual until later stages, when changes in the retina have already developed.
The good news is that sight loss from sickle cell retinopathy is largely preventable when changes are detected early.
Regular eye screening allows doctors to monitor the back of the eye and treat any problems before vision is affected.
And knowing the warning signs means you can seek help quickly if something changes.
I previously hosted a Sickleverse live masterclass on Sickle Cell Retinopathy.
If you'd like to watch a clear and simple breakdown click below for the recording.
See it Early, Save your sight: A practical guide to Sickle Cell Retinopathy
We’ cover:
If you’ve never really thought about the back of your eyes before, this help you understand why it matters.
Stay healthy,
Lewis
