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.

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, 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. 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, appearing as a thin, gray rim around the cornea.

Heart Conditions

In some cases, heart conditions associated with a buildup of plaque in the carotid artery can 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). While the optometrist can recognize signs indicating the presence of MS, such cases will be referred for further testing to confirm the diagnosis.

Thyroid

Thyroid disease can make itself apparent through the eyes in several ways. Some thyroid disorders can cause dry eye disease. Additionally, overactive thyroid can make the extraocular muscles enlarge and stiffen, causing bulging eyes.

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

So the next time you visit Optique Family Vision Care in Springfield, 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. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.