Regular eye exams are regarded as a way to keep up with one’s eye health. What you may not know is that there are other health issues that can be detected during an eye exam, and may lead to early treatment or even prevention. In today’s post, Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry takes a look at these health issues.
1. Diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body’s ability to process food into energy. It is known to cause serious health problems, including vision loss, if untreated. During an eye exam, an optometrist may be able to identify signs of diabetes if signs of a condition known as diabetic retinopathy — indicated by damage to blood vessels in a person’s retina — are present.
2. Heart disease. Signs of high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels can also be detected during an eye example. High blood pressure often affects the blood vessels located in the back of a person’s eye, while a blue or yellow ring around the cornea is typically indicative of high cholesterol levels. Eye doctors look out for these signs because heart diseases are one of the contributing factors to glaucoma, among other eye conditions.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that is characterized by painful inflammation in the joints. In addition to pain in the eye area, they also cause inflammation in the white parts of the eyes.
4. Skin cancer. According to the CDC, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that has signs that can affect the interior of the eye, which can be found during an eye exam.
5. Multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative disease that affects the nervous system. It causes inflammation of the optic nerve, which is often associated with blurred vision, double vision, and painful eye movement.
Schedule an eye exam with a local eye doctor at Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry by calling (703) 573-1200. You can also fill out our contact form to set up an appointment. We serve clients in Falls Church, VA and the surrounding communities.