Your Eyes Are the Windows to Your Health
Your eyes aren't just the windows to your soul — they can also reveal valuable information about your general health beyond whether you need glasses, including diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.
Eye Exams and Your Health
Eye examinations can help doctors detect general health conditions early enough to intervene. Advanced screenings enable eye doctors to better predict cardiovascular incidents like stroke, and possibly detect signs of mental changes such as Alzheimer's.
Brain Cancer and Stroke
Because of the similarities between the blood vessels in the eye and brain, an eye doctor can occasionally detect an issue taking place in the brain by examining the blood vessels in the eyes. If swelling or shadows in the eye is observed, it may indicate a serious condition in the brain, like a tumor, or clots that might result in a stroke.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye, resulting in Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME). The earlier diabetic eye disease is managed, the better the chances are of preserving eyesight.
Hypertension
High blood pressure can be detected during an eye exam, sometimes even before it's diagnosed by your regular doctor. According to the CDC, hypertension "the silent killer" affects nearly 1 in 3 adults, and up to 20% of those don't even know they have it.
High Cholesterol
Eye exams can also detect a buildup of cholesterol. High cholesterol is among the easiest conditions to spot during a complete eye exam, as the cholesterol deposits manifest on the front of the eye, appearing as a thin, gray rim around the cornea. These deposits may indicate the development of Retinal Blood Vessel Occlusion, causing temporary or permanent vision loss.
Heart Conditions
In some cases, heart conditions associated with a buildup of plaque in the carotid artery can also lead to deposits that clog the ocular arteries in the eye. If an optometrist detects such changes, he or she will typically recommend going to a specialist.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Sudden vision loss may be attributed to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The optometrist can recognize signs indicating the presence of MS, such as the color and appearance of the optic nerve, and will refer for further testing.
Thyroid
Thyroid disease can make itself apparent through the eyes in several ways. Some thyroid disorders can cause dry eye disease. Additionally, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can make the extraocular muscles enlarge and stiffen, causing bulging eyes — an indicator of Graves' disease.
Inflammation
Systemic conditions associated with inflammation in the body can have an inflammatory effect on the eyes. Uveitis, for example, causes eye inflammation, redness, and blurred vision, and tends to occur in people with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases.
Cancer
Breast cancer, leukemia, and other metastatic cancers are occasionally discovered during an eye evaluation. Melanoma and basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer) can be detected, and eye doctors can also diagnose lymphoma and other eye tumors. Eye exams save lives.
Looking to the Future
Recent studies show that advanced imaging devices can signal the presence of eye changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. Research has also shown that subtle eye tremors, an early Parkinson's marker, could be detectable using advanced eye exam technology.
Your Eye Doctor's Appointment Could Change Your Life
So the next time you visit Optique Family Vision Care in Washington Court House, remember that a comprehensive eye exam can do more than determine your eyeglasses or contacts prescription. Your eye doctor can evaluate your eyes for existing or potential health issues, and communicate them to your primary care physician for the best possible care.