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5 Diseases an Eye Exam Can Detect

December 15, 2022

Improve Your Health

Regular eye exams should be a part of everyone’s healthcare routine, and not just to protect your vision.  While it’s true that checkups from your optometrist can catch the early signs of eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, eye exams are remarkably effective at detecting so much more. Many of these diseases can be life-threatening, so early detection and treatment is vital.


Let’s take a look at five diseases and health conditions that may be detected during your routine eye exam.

eyes

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the United States.  Despite the fact that an estimated 37 million Americans suffer from the condition, as much as 20% of these individuals don’t even know that they have diabetes.


Early detection of diabetes leads to a higher chance of remission and a better chance of successful management of illness, avoiding the more serious complications associated with it.


Eye exams are particularly effective at catching diabetes even before symptoms arise.  High blood sugar caused by insulin resistance damages blood vessels in the eyes.  Though this damage might not be noticed by an individual, an eye exam will detect this damage and can lead to a successful early diagnosis. 

glasses

Aneurysm 

A brain aneurysm occurs when an artery in the brain becomes enlarged by the blood circulating through it.  This enlargement puts pressure on the nerves and tissue surrounding it, and if left untreated can lead to stroke.


Fortunately, eye exams can reveal aneurysms even before symptoms present themselves.  As eye exams peer deep into the tissue inside and surrounding the eye, the procedure can reveal swelling in the optic nerve and increased pressure in the brain, both of which are signs of cerebral aneurysm.  As with so many other health conditions and diseases, early detection is essential for successful treatment, and having regular checkups with your ophthalmologist is paramount.

eye exam

High blood pressure and cholesterol

The human eye is a highly sophisticated organ and as such it is packed with blood vessels delivering nutrients and oxygen.  Since there are so many blood vessels in the eye, your optometrist will be able to check for the kinks and bleeding in eye blood vessels that can indicate hypertension (high blood pressure).


The very same exam can reveal the signs of high cholesterol, which is associated with hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. 


Once again, early detection is extremely important for successful treatment and management of these conditions, and an eye exam might be the first step.

eye

Cancer

Eye exams are extremely effective at detecting various types of cancer.  Melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, often forms around the eyelids, and in certain cases can develop inside the eye on the retina.


Leukemia, which is a form of cancer that emerges in the body’s blood-forming tissues, causes damage and bleeding to the blood vessels in the eyes, which can be easily detected by an eye exam.


Unresponsive pupils and pronounced blurriness in vision can be early signs of certain forms of brain cancer.  An extremely dangerous disease, early detection of brain cancer is essential for forming an effective treatment plan.

eyes

Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly referred to as lupus or SLE, is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own tissues and organs.  Lupus is notoriously difficult to diagnose as it mimics the symptoms of many other illnesses.  While there is no known cure for lupus, symptoms can be managed and individuals with the disease are able to live long, healthy lives.


As with all the other aforementioned diseases, early detection is extremely important.  Eye exams are among the most effective methods for diagnosing lupus, as it commonly affects vision.  Though the exact cause of lupus is unknown, genetics may play a role, so if you have a family history of the disease, frequent eye exams are strongly recommended.


Talking about disease and illness is no fun, but it’s extremely important.  Early detection and treatment is vital, so consider scheduling an eye exam today if you haven’t had a checkup in a while.  We’re here to give you the best care possible, so please don’t hesitate to reach out!

eye exam
eye exam
eye exam
eye exam
eye exam
eye exam

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By Bob Hansen • December 1, 2022
Finding New Frames Doesn't Need to be a Hassle We’ve all been there before. You’ve got a new prescription or maybe you’re replacing your old pair of glasses and suddenly you are confronted with a wall of frames and you suddenly have to decide what your face is going to look like with your glasses for the next couple of years. It’s daunting and exhausting and the last thing you want is to make the wrong decision. Don’t you worry, we’re here with you to help you choose a pair of frames that you’re going to love. We’ve compiled a list of five factors that you should consider when picking your new frames that will make the task feel less herculean.

What Should I Do if My Child is Nervous About an Eye Exam

By Bob Hansen • November 18, 2022
Anxiety is Normal Going for a trip to the doctor of any type can be a really stressful experience for kids. They have to break from their normal routine, travel to an unfamiliar place, interact with unfamiliar people, and might find what goes on quite unpleasant. It’s completely normal, but it can put parents in the difficult position of putting their children through something they don’t want to do and might feel great apprehension about. Many parents might feel at a loss for what to do, so we’ve compiled a list of advice for parents whose children are feeling anxious about their eye exam.

Is It Time for an Eye Exam?

By Bob Hansen • November 3, 2022
Your Vision is a Priority Let’s start this off by saying that if you can’t remember your last eye exam, it’s time to get one scheduled as soon as possible. For the rest of us though, it can be difficult to know the telltale signs that you should have your eyes checked or the frequency with which you should get a check up. We’ve compiled a guideline here to help you know when to get that appointment booked so that you won’t find yourself wondering, “Is it time for an eye exam?”
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