Eye exams are not just about your visual perception —it's also a crucial window into your overall health. Beyond detecting refractive errors or eye diseases, your optometrist can unveil a spectrum of general health conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Here's a glimpse into the general health conditions a routine eye test can provide:
- Diabetes: Changes in the blood vessels in the retina can indicate diabetes or diabetic retinopathy.
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Changes in blood vessels in the back of the eye, such as narrowing, leaking, or bleeding, can indicate high blood pressure.
- High Cholesterol: Yellowish deposits around the eyelids or in the eye can indicate high cholesterol levels.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Inflammation of the eye can be a sign of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis.
- Thyroid Problems: Eye bulging or retraction of the eyelids can indicate thyroid conditions such as Graves' disease.
- Brain Tumours or Aneurysms: Changes in the optic nerve or visual field abnormalities can sometimes indicate pressure on the brain caused by tumours or aneurysms.
- Cancer: Some types of eye cancer can be detected during an eye exam, such as melanoma.
Regular eye exams are important not only for maintaining good vision but also for detecting potential underlying health issues. You should seek to attend an eye examination at least once every two years, or less if advised so by your optometrist.
You can book your next appointment at Optical Express today.