What common health problems can an eye exam detect?

While regular visits to the eye doctor are the best way to ensure you maintain optimal vision, there are other benefits as well. By inspecting the lens, retina, and optic nerve, your doctor can detect a wide range of systemic health problems, often before symptoms become evident elsewhere in the body. In fact, an eye exam is among the most elegant ways of testing for illness since it doesn’t require the invasiveness of blood testing or imaging devices. Below are some of the most common ailments that eye testing can reveal:

Hypertension – Broken blood vessels in the whites of the eyes (subconjunctival hemorrhage) can be a sign of high blood pressure. Slight swelling or bulging in the eyes may also indicate this condition. 

Heart disease – Eye exams can reveal clogged arteries. Small deposits of plaque inside the eyes can be dangerous and may require a visit to a primary care doctor. Ischemia (decreased blood flow) can also be detected by viewing lesions on the retina.  

Diabetes – Early-stage retina damage (diabetic retinopathy) can be detected before other signs of diabetes are present in the patient. If caught in time, there’s a lot that can be done to prevent diabetes-related blindness. An eye doctor can combat the tiny blood vessels, capillaries, and microaneurysms that block blood flow and thus prevent diabetic retinopathy before it results in vision loss.  

Rheumatoid arthritis – The most common sign of this disease is dry eyes (sclera inflammation.) The sclera, or outer white layer of the eye, is made up of mostly collagen, and since inflammatory ailments target collagen-rich connective tissue, rheumatoid arthritis can be detected in this way, even when the joints are not showing signs of a flare-up. 

Hyperthyroidism – When the eyelids are further back from their normal position making the eyeballs look bigger, it may be a sign of a thyroid disorder. Dry eyes may also be an indicator. In order to test for hyperthyroidism, an eye doctor may use a device called an exophthalmometer to measure the protrusion of the eyeballs. 

Parkinson’s disease – There are certain tests that can track eye movements to help evaluate whether Parkinson’s might be present. Many Parkinson’s patients develop ocular tremors before other signs of the disease manifest. The RightEye Vision System can help detect ocular tremors, speeding up medical intervention. 

What is the takeaway?

Diagnosing disease early is always the best way to prevent future discomfort, expenses, and lifestyle restriction. By attending regular eye exams, you can preserve your quality of life and ensure your total well-being and health. Call us today at New York Laser Vision to schedule your appointment. Our friendly, experienced practitioners are standing by to provide superior service and compassionate care from start to finish.