Feature|Articles|February 20, 2026

Sickle cell disease: Navigating ocular manifestations in women

Fact checked by: Mary Ellen Hoehn, MD, Adrienne W. Scott, MD

Clinicians emphasize screening, individualized care, and recognition of sex-based differences to prevent vision-threatening complications

This chronic inflammatory disorder is due to a mutation affecting red blood cell structure; it causes normally disc-shaped red blood cells to become deformed, sickle-shaped cells in certain circumstances, Hoehn described.