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. It is not unusual for people to come in for an eye exam just to check their eyesight and then have certain health issues or predispositions picked up by the optometrist.

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. Read below to learn how eye exams can unveil a whole lot more than just eye health.

Brain Cancer & 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. If an optometrist detects leaky blood vessels in the eye, the patient would be advised to see a doctor to help control their blood sugar.

Hypertension

High blood pressure can be detected during an eye exam, sometimes even before it's diagnosed by your regular doctor. The damaged blood vessels lead to swelling, hemorrhages, and leaking — all of which can be observed in the eyes.

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.

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 such changes are detected, your optometrist 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 through the color and appearance of the optic nerve.

Cancer

Breast cancer, leukemia, and other metastatic cancers are occasionally discovered during an eye evaluation. Eye exams save lives.

Your Eye Doctor's Appointment Could Change Your Life

The next time you visit our team at Grove City Vision Center in Grove City, remember that a comprehensive eye exam can do more than determine your eyeglasses or contacts prescription. Our doctors can evaluate your eyes for existing or potential health issues, and communicate them to your primary care physician for the best possible care.