How is blue sclera treated?
Healthcare providers will determine why your sclera is blue before deciding on specific treatments. Knowing why your sclera is blue is the only way providers know how to treat it.
A blue sclera may be a symptom of an underlying condition. For example, people with inherited conditions such as Marfan syndrome or osteogenesis imperfecta may develop a blue sclera. In those cases, providers will emphasize treatment for the underlying condition. Those treatments may help with blue sclera.
Treatments will vary depending on the disorder causing the blue sclera.
What are the possible complications or risks of not treating a blue sclera?
Typically, most cases of blue sclera don’t need treatment.
However, if you have a more serious condition, you’ll need treatment for that. Those risks or complications vary with the condition you have.
Can blue sclera be prevented?
That depends. Some people have an increased risk for blue sclera because they don’t get enough iron from the foods they eat. In that case, they could prevent blue sclera by eating iron-rich foods or taking iron supplements.
You may have an increased risk for blue sclera because you or someone in your family has certain inherited conditions. You may want to ask your healthcare provider about genetic counseling. You may not be able to prevent blue sclera but counseling may help to understand your risk as it relates to a genetic condition.
FAQs
Blue sclera happens when the white of your eye (sclera) is tinted blue. Blue sclera can happen for many reasons, including iron deficiency or underlying diseases. Treatments vary depending on the condition causing the blue sclera.
What does it mean if your sclera is blue? ›
Bluish sclera is associated with osteogenesis imperfecta, Marfan's syndrome, Ehlers Danlos syndrome, Blue sclera syndrome (Van der Heave syndrome), incontinentia pigmenti, and many other inherited conditions. [1] The sclera is involved bilaterally in all these conditions and the unilateral appearance is a rarity.
What is the disease associated with blue sclera? ›
Blue sclera is the most commonly known ocular sign for osteogenesis imperfecta and it is caused by thin scleral collagen allowing the underlying darker choroid vasculature to be seen. Patients with OI have shown a reduction in thickness of the corneal and scleral collagen fibers which can result in low ocular rigidity.
What color should sclera be? ›
A healthy sclera is white. But what does it mean when the sclera takes on a different hue? If your whites become yellow, like Michael Jordan's eyes in 'The Last Dance,' or otherwise discolored, consult with your ophthalmologist. In some cases, this could signal an underlying health condition.
What age is blue sclera? ›
Thus, blue sclera occurs normally in infants younger than 6 months of age because of the thinness of their sclera.
How to fix blue sclera? ›
Treatment. Most cases of blue sclera are harmless, and treatment only involves identifying and eradicating the underlying cause (in cases where it can be eradicated). Supportive treatment may sometimes be offered to ensure that the condition does not deteriorate.
What do iron deficiency eyes look like? ›
Anemia occurs when there is a deficiency of red blood cells, leading to decreased oxygen to the body, including the eyes. The whites of the eyes may develop a blue color, the inside of the lower eyelids may become pale, and the retina may become damaged due to a lack of oxygen and leaking blood vessels.
Is blue sclera harmless? ›
Are there stages or different severity levels? The difference in severity relates to the difference in causes. In most cases, having a blue sclera isn't serious. In some cases, having a blue sclera can mean you have a more significant underlying medical condition that will need treatment.
Why is my sclera never white? ›
Some eye conditions that can affect your sclera's color include: Eye infections. Uveitis (redness usually caused by your body fighting an infection). Episcleritis (redness autoimmune diseases typically cause).
How do I make my sclera white again? ›
Lifestyle modifications like consuming a diet rich in antioxidants, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, avoiding eye strain, and protecting eyes from irritants and UV light are key factors in keeping the sclera white.
Blue sclerae appear to be a good indicator of iron deficiency and should become a regular part of clinical examination.
What is the rarest eye color? ›
While the global data on eye colors is limited, red and violet eyes are likely the rarest eye colors since they only affect a small group of people with albinism. But if you exclude eye colors brought on by albinism, then green and gray are likely the rarest.
Why do seniors eyes turn blue? ›
Blue rings around the iris are caused by cholesterol deposits in the eye. The deposits are actually white or yellowish but can appear blue. This might sound dangerous, but it isn't. Researchers estimate that this condition impacts anywhere between 20 and 35 percent of people, becoming increasingly likely as you age.
What medical condition causes blue eyes? ›
Waardenburg syndrome is a group of conditions passed down through families. The syndrome involves deafness and pale skin, hair, and eye color. Broad nasal bridge, or widening of the base of the nose, is a relative term.
What causes discoloration of sclera? ›
Certain medical conditions can cause the sclera to be thinner than usual. In these cases, the underlying choroid tissue shows through resulting in a blue or grey discoloration of the whites of your eyes. Individuals with anemia, iron deficiency and chronic uveitis may develop a thin sclera.
