6 Health Problems Yearly Eye Exams Can Catch
February 20th, 2018
Most people know that yearly eye exams are important for the overall health of their eyes. But did you know that an eye exam is also a good indicator of your overall health?
Comprehensive eye exams are important for many reasons. You may find out that you need a stronger prescription and your doctor will rule out common eye diseases like glaucoma or macular degeneration.
But your eye doctor may pick up on other non-eye related concerns. Let’s look at six health problems that can be detected during your yearly eye exam:
- Diabetes
Diabetes usually begins to affect the capillaries in your eyes, causing them to leak a yellowish fluid. This can often be a sign of a serious condition known as diabetic retinopathy. And specks of blood in the back of your eyes could indicate unhealthy blood sugar levels.
- Risk of stroke
If the vessels in the backs of your eyes are blocked, this could indicate an elevated risk of stroke. This is why yearly eye exams are especially important for older adults.
- Thyroid disease
Individuals with hyperthyroidism often have eyes have appear to be bulging.
- Cancer
You know how eye doctors are always telling you to wear sunglasses when you spend time outside? That’s because your eyes are just as vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays as your skin is. Ocular melanoma can develop in the cells of your eye.
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Several dry or burning eyes are often an early sign of rheumatoid arthritis. Coming in for your yearly eye exam could help you catch this condition early on.
- High cholesterol
If your corneas start to develop a yellowish ring around them, this could be a sign of high cholesterol.
Hopefully, this blog post has helped you become more aware of the importance of yearly eye exams for your overall health and well-being. If you are overdue for your yearly eye exam, don’t despair! Just contact our Decatur office today and we will get you set up with one of our doctors.
