If you don’t wear glasses or contacts, scheduling an appointment with your eye doctor might be low on your to-do list. But needing a new RX isn't the only reason to visit the optometrist. Your eyes can reveal so much about your overall health, sometimes even before signs show up elsewhere! Read on to discover 5 things your OD knows about your health, just by looking into your eyes.
- Whether you have diabetes
Blurry vision might not simply mean you need corrective lenses-- it could also point to type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar is a strain on blood vessels, and the disease can manifest in your eyes before anywhere else in your body. This is a serious one-- diabetes can lead to blindness if left untreated.
- Signs of cancer
When a patient has breast or lung cancer spreading through other parts of the body, those cells can also often appear in and around the eyes. Eye doctors look out for abnormal lesions or masses/tumors within structures of the eye. In this case, patients may complain of blurry vision, eye pain, or seeing flashes or floaters.
- Your risk of heart attack
No matter what your eyes look like from the outside, your OD will get clues about your health on the inside.
High blood pressure can damage the vessels supplying blood to your retina, causing blurred vision, bleeding in the eye or even a complete loss of vision. This condition greatly increases the risk of heart attack. These retinal vessels are often the only places to see it without going through surgery or dye processes.
- Thyroid issues
When your thyroid gland is overactive, side effects can include blurry vision, dry eye, double vision, or eye pain. Sometimes these can be the only signs of a thyroid condition--again, it can show up in the eyes before you see any side effects in the rest of your body.
- Whether you may have an autoimmune condition
Dry eyes can be the first sign of a number of autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis. Good thing dry eye is easily detected during an eye exam.
Has a trip to the eye doctor moved up your list? It’s easy to schedule an exam, and get peace of mind about your vision and overall health. Whether or not you have perfect vision, click here to schedule yours today.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
At EYEcenter Optometric, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 916-727-6518 or book an appointment online to see one of our Citrus Heights eye doctors.
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