4 Surprising Diseases That An Eye Exam Can Uncover

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Your eyes are an essential part of your body. They allow you to see and observe the world around you, send a text message to a friend, and enjoy a movie that’s playing on the TV. We often think that an eye exam is only due when we have vision problems, but this is not true. Regular checkups can help you identify the presence of eye conditions at an early stage. Sometimes, a visit to an optometrist may reveal more than just eye-related conditions. We’re going to assess some diseases that can sometimes be detected when you decide to go for an eye exam. 

Diseases That An Eye Exam Can Detect

Your eyes contain nerves, blood vessels, and several other parts. Each part of your eye is critical in ensuring you can see clearly. Sometimes, conditions affecting different parts of your body can cause eye problems. The signs in your eyes may be subtle, but eye exam professionals can often pick up on these symptoms. This section will consider some diseases that could be detected through an eye exam. 

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body manages glucose. If you have diabetes, glucose does not enter your cells as it normally would. This causes glucose to accumulate in your bloodstream, pushing up your blood sugar levels. 

During an eye exam, if the healthcare professional notices fluids leaking from the small blood vessels that are part of your retina, it may be a sign of diabetes. This is due to the effects that diabetic retinopathy can have on your body. There are cases where an eye examiner notices this even before the person gets diagnosed with diabetes – which could help to provide an early diagnosis for the condition. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks joints. It can cause pain and inflammation in these joints and eventually lead to more serious complications. The condition can also affect other parts of the body. 

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis may experience deep pain in their eyes. If this happens, your eyes will also be red. It can be a sign that you have scleritis, which refers to an inflammation of the eye – in particular, the white part of your eye. Dry eye may also be linked to the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis during an eye exam. 

Cardiovascular Conditions

Your heart needs to pump blood through your circulatory system constantly. This system supplies blood and oxygen to every part of your body.

During an eye exam, your optometrist may notice bleeding or bends in the small arteries at the back of your eye. This is sometimes a sign of high blood pressure, a condition that can significantly increase your risk of heart-related severe complications. High blood pressure puts you at a greater risk for a stroke and a heart attack. 

A more detailed examination with an optical coherence tomography can also sometimes identify marks on the retina. These are marks that occur when you have an “eye stroke”. It is a more common occurrence in people with heart disease compared to healthy individuals. 

Risk For A Stroke

There are also times when an eye exam reveals that you are at a higher risk of a stroke. This is often the case when clots or blockages in the blood vessels supply blood to your retina. These clots and blockages can cause problems with your vision. In particular, it may seem like there is a curtain-like structure over your vision when you open your eyes. 

Vitamin Deficiencies

There are numerous vitamins that the eye relies on to remain healthy. When you become deficient in these vitamins, signs may sometimes start to show up during an eye exam. One particular vitamin deficiency often noted during these exams is related to vitamin A. 

Two common signs of vitamin A deficiencies include night blindness and dryness in your eyes. 

Thyroid Problems

An eye exam can also detect problems with your thyroid gland. This gland is positioned in your neck and is often described as having a butterfly shape. The thyroid gland produces hormones that play numerous roles in your body. 

When your thyroid gland becomes too active, it results in the development of hyperthyroidism. This means the gland makes too many hormones. Your optometrist may notice that your eyeballs are protruding. Sometimes, the eyelids also retract when you have hyperthyroidism. 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases can sometimes wreak havoc on your body. An eye exam can, in some cases, detect the possibility of certain sexually transmitted diseases. 

This is generally the case with genital warts, HIV, herpes, syphilis, and chlamydia. When you have any of these STDs, the pathogens behind these conditions may cause problems with the different layers that make up your eyes. In fact, many cases of these STDs are first discovered during an eye exam. 

High Cholesterol Levels

High levels of LDL cholesterol, combined with high triglycerides, can be dangerous. It can cause blockages in your blood circulatory system and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. 

When your optometrist notices a ring around your cornea, they may advise you to get your cholesterol checked. The line can be either blue or yellow. Also, your optometrist may notice cholesterol deposits in the retina’s blood vessels. 

Bottom Line

We don’t usually associate our eyes with diseases affecting other body parts. During an eye exam, however, it’s sometimes possible for an optometrist to note changes to the eyes that may be linked to certain health conditions. An eye exam can detect cancers, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol levels, and much more. It’s a good idea to check in with your optometrist regularly and to get an eye exam at least once every two years.