You probably already know that having a yearly comprehensive eye exam is a good way to measure the overall health of your eyes. But did you know that it’s also a good way to stay on top of your health?
During a dilated eye exam, your doctor will check to make sure you have the right prescription and will look for signs of common eye conditions. Many common conditions like glaucoma or cataracts cause symptoms to develop so slowly that they aren’t caught without an eye exam.
But your eye doctor may notice other health-related concerns. Let’s look at five health problems that can be detected during an eye exam:
Thyroid disease
Thyroid eye disease is primarily associated with hyperthyroidism from Graves’ disease. Swollen tissues around the eye, eye watering, redness and eyelid swelling are all symptoms of thyroid eye disease.
Diabetes
Specks of blood in your eyes indicate high blood sugar levels, which is a warning sign of diabetes. Diabetes also begins to affect the capillaries in your eyes. If they begin to leak a yellowish fluid, this is a symptom of a serious condition called diabetic retinopathy.
Certain kinds of cancer
Did you know that the sun is just as hard on your eyes as it is on your skin? Ocular melanoma can begin to form in the cells of your eyes. This is why it is important to wear sunglasses with UV protection every time you go outdoors.
Stroke
Blocked vessels in the back of the eyes indicate a patient is at higher risk of having a stroke.
High cholesterol
If your corneas have a yellowish ring around them this may be a sign of high cholesterol.
Many people don’t realize how many benefits there are to having a yearly comprehensive eye exam. Staying on top of your eye exams can preserve your eyesight and overall health for years to come. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.
