It’s said that the eyes are the window to the soul… but as it turns out, they’re a window to your body health as well!
Numerous diseases and medical conditions affect your eyes in one way or another, and a skilled optometrist can tell a lot about your overall health just from an eye exam. In some cases, they may even be able to predict or diagnose illnesses in other parts of the body, based on ocular symptoms.
So that’s even more reason to schedule annual eye exams: you might detect other illnesses early!
Non-Ocular Diseases That Your Optometrist Can Detect
Brain Tumors
If a person develops a brain tumor, that causes swelling in the brain which presses directly against the nerves in the back of the eye. This change is visible in an eye exam, as the optometrist is looking directly at the optic nerve.
In addition, brain tumors can cause specific changes to eyesight, such as a loss of peripheral vision. Combined, your eye doctor may be able to spot a brain tumor before an oncologist could!
Diabetes
Diabetes causes changes all over the body, including the eye. If a patient is suffering from diabetic retinopathy, the tiny blood vessels in their eye may be leaking blood or other fluids. An optometrist knows the signs, and will be able to tell you if you need to be checked for diabetes.
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a degenerative disease that attacks the nervous system. The optic nerve is a prime target for MS, and one symptom that a trained optometrist can easily spot. In addition, MS is also linked to blurred/double vision, or pain when moving the eyes around.
STDs
Despite being nowhere near typical sites of infection, numerous sexually transmitted diseases cause inflammation or other distortions in the eye. That includes chlamydia, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, and even pubic lice!
So if your optometrist politely suggests you visit a clinic, it’s a good idea to listen to them.
Lyme Disease
Yes, even that disease people get from tick bites can be detected via the eye. Lyme disease can cause inflammation throughout the body, including the optic nerve. In addition, people who contract Lyme disease often see a sudden increase in ‘floaters’ in their vision, which further points toward the diagnosis.
In short, your annual eye exam could tell you far more than just evaluating your eyesight! If it’s been more than a year since your last checkup, contact Valley Eyecare Center in Phoenix for an appointment.
