What Your Eyes Can Reveal About Your Overall Health
Your eyes can provide valuable insight into your general health. During an eye exam, your optometrist can detect more than just vision problems—certain systemic health conditions often show early signs in the eyes. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even cancer can be identified during a routine eye exam, sometimes before other symptoms appear.
Here are some of the health issues your eyes can reveal.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause blood vessels in the retina to swell and break, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. This disease is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada.
Many people with diabetes do not notice symptoms until the disease has progressed, but an eye doctor may detect early warning signs such as:
- Swelling in the retina
- Leaking blood vessels
- Changes in vision
Regular diabetic eye exams are essential for catching these issues early and preventing vision loss.
Cancer
Certain cancers can show early signs in the eyes before other symptoms develop. Tumors may cause swelling of the optic nerve or changes in eye shape, which can be detected during an eye exam.
Signs that may indicate serious conditions such as brain or skin cancer include:
- Sudden vision changes
- Unusual pigmentation inside the eye
- Blood in the retina, which may be linked to leukemia
High Blood Pressure
Your eye doctor can detect damaged blood vessels inside the eye, which may indicate high blood pressure. Left untreated, high blood pressure can increase the risk of:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Vision loss
Blurry vision and narrowing of blood vessels in the eye may be early warning signs.
High Cholesterol
A white, grey, or blue ring around the iris can be a sign of high cholesterol and triglycerides, which are major risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
While these rings are common with aging, they can indicate high cholesterol levels in people under 60. If noticed during an eye exam, it may be recommended to have your cholesterol checked with a blood test.
Stroke
Your optometrist may see microscopic blood clots or damaged blood vessels in the retina, which could indicate an increased risk of stroke.
If these signs are present, your doctor may recommend further testing and lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.
Multiple Sclerosis
Swollen optic nerves and unexplained blurry vision can be early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS), a degenerative disease affecting the nervous system.
Early detection can lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment, helping slow the progression of the disease.
Thyroid Disease
Red, itchy, or bulging eyes may be linked to thyroid disease, particularly Graves’ disease, which causes the ocular muscles to swell.
If thyroid-related eye symptoms are detected, further medical evaluation may be needed to prevent long-term complications.
Arthritis
Arthritis is associated with several eye conditions, the most common being chronic dry eye. Those with inflammatory arthritis may also experience:
- Eye pain and redness
- Blurred vision
- Light sensitivity
- Increased risk of glaucoma and cataracts
Comprehensive Eye Exams in Edmonton
At Optometrists’ Clinic Inc., we provide comprehensive general, pediatric, and diabetic eye exams to help detect both vision problems and underlying health conditions.
Our team of experienced optometrists can assess your eye health and recommend further medical evaluation if necessary. We also offer a wide selection of prescription eyeglasses with fashionable frames.
To schedule an eye exam at one of our five locations in the Edmonton area, contact us today.
