Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) anemia is a worldwide health problem and is the most common nutritional deficiency. Impulse transmission in the visual pathway might be affected by ID.
Objective: To determine whether ID affects visual transmission in adults.
Materials and Methods: A total of 34 female subjects from low socioeconomic group were selected. All were aged between 20 and 35. Hematological parameters such as Hb, MCV, MCHC, and peripheral smear study, as well as biochemical analysis of serum ferritin were measured. Visual evoked potentials were performed by checker board- reversal stimuli system. Result: Hematological parameters and ferritin levels were significantly lower in anemic group with a P value of <0.0001. P100-latency of (P100-L) ID anemic group was slightly prolonged, but it was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: In the present study, visual transmission was slightly prolonged in ID adult females, but it was statistically insignificant. ID has discrete effects on visual system between children and adults. Further studies can also be carried out in ID of different age group, before and after treatment with fortified food.