During a comprehensive eye exam, eye problems are not the only things your optometrist can detect. Specialists might also be able to catch signs of other health issues. It’s among the many reasons to see your eye doctor regularly.
Continue reading to discover five common health issues detected during eye exams.
1. Diabetes
Initial signs of diabetes could manifest in the eye tissues. Sometimes, eye doctors catch indications of the disease even before a patient starts experiencing symptoms. The retina could leak blood or yellow fluid due to diabetic retinopathy. Moreover, early detection of diabetes can help preserve vision and avoid other complications.
2. High Blood Pressure
Bleeding or odd bends in the blood vessels in the back of the eye could indicate high blood pressure. Hypertension affects one in three adults in the U.S. It can increase your risk for macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
3. High Cholesterol
Your optometrist could tell you have high cholesterol if they notice a yellow or blue ring around your eye. Elevated cholesterol levels can also cause deposit formation in the retina’s blood vessels. Sometimes, eye specialists could even identify if someone is about to have a stroke due to high cholesterol.
4. Thyroid Disease
People with hyperthyroidism can have protruding eyeballs and retracting lids. Thyroid eye disease causes inflammation in the muscles and fatty tissue behind the eyes. When this happens, the eyes can bulge forward or become red and swollen.
5. Heart Disease
Your eyes also say a lot about your heart health. Specialists could use an imaging tool to catch tiny marks created by an eye stroke. If you are a healthy person, you won’t have these marks. They are more common in individuals with heart disease.
Regular visits to your optometrist will benefit your vision and overall health. You can depend on Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic for reliable eye care services. Call us at (425) 771-8472 (Lynnwood) or (425) 485-0430 (Bothell). You can also complete our online form to schedule an appointment. We serve patients around Redmond and Kirkland, WA.