Your eyes are truly amazing. Did you know that your eyes could heal themselves from a cornea scratch? Did you know that of all the muscles in your body, it’s the muscles in your eyes that are the most active? Of course, the most important eye fact to know is that 80% of vision problems worldwide are either avoidable or curable.
Your eyes are remarkable for so many reasons, but it’s what they tell us about your overall health that might be the most intriguing. More than 30 health conditions show symptoms in the eyes, leading many ophthalmologists in a position to be the first to detect many health problems.
Eye Exams and Overall Health
According to Business Insider, an internal study of 120,000 patients in a recent study found that an eye exam was the first indicator of 34% of diabetes cases, 39% of cases of high blood pressure, and a shocking 62% of cases of high cholesterol.
- Diabetes: According to the CDC, 40% of Americans will develop diabetes in their lives, and it can be detected in your eyes. Red spots, cause by dots of blood in the eye, can be a strong indication of diabetes. If your ophthalmologist at Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons notices an indication of diabetes, we will notify you and suggest an appointment with your family physician.
- Allergies: Many individuals can simply diagnose themselves with allergies. In the case of allergies showing in the eyes, they will be itchy, swollen and red. If you take oral antihistamines to sooth your allergy symptoms, be sure to be aware of how your eyes are managing. Oral antihistamines have a tendency to dry out the eyes, which can worsen the situation. Talk to Dennis Kilpatrick, MD or William Kilpatrick, MD, our expert Scottsdale ophthalmologists with any questions related to your eyes and allergies.
- Autoimmune Diseases: Sjogren’s syndrome, most notably diagnosed in tennis player Venus Williams, can potentially be spotted in your eyes. Sjogren’s syndrome destroys moisture-producing glands in the eyes, leaving the eyes extremely dry.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure can be detected by blurry vision. In fact, blurry vision can ultimately be caused by age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts or glaucoma, but if you have a family history of hypertension or are at risk for hypertension, blurry vision could be a sign of high blood pressure and needs to be treated immediately.
- Cancer: Ocular melanoma, a rare form of melanoma, is detected in the eye. Symptoms can include a sensation of flashing lights, a change in the shape of your pupil, blurry vision, or loss of peripheral vision. But oftentimes there are no symptoms and the condition is only discovered during a routine eye exam.
The importance of scheduling an eye exam is paramount, not just to evaluate your vision but to evaluate your overall health. Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons recommends a comprehensive eye exam every two years for adults ages 18 to 70, and every year for anyone over 70. At risk adults who have a family history of eye disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, or taking prescriptions that might affect the eyes should have more frequent exams. Make your appointment with Scottsdale Eye Physicians & Surgeons today!