Many believe that the eyes are the window to the soul, but experts have pointed out that they can be a window to reveal a number of hidden health conditions.
Experts recommend getting an eye exam at least every two years. Eye exams are very important for maintaining eye health, and this may help diagnose some underlying health conditions.
Giles Edmonds, director of clinical services at Specsavers, explains the signs we can detect and which ones we can pick up during an eye exam. Here are the eight signs that can be found from a routine eye exam:
1. Glaucoma:
Glaucoma is a condition that is often without symptoms because it develops gradually. That is why this condition is referred to as the "silent sight thief," Edmonds said.
He explained: "Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness, however, if identified in its early stages, it can be managed successfully. Regular eye exams are key to its detection, and are very important for those at higher risk of the condition due to their advanced age or family history."
2. Diabetic retinopathy:
Edmunds says that early-stage diabetic retinopathy usually doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms, so an eye exam can detect it early.
The condition affects the small blood vessels in the eye, causing damage to the retina.
Edmunds explained that an ophthalmologist can look for early characteristic changes, such as tiny leaks from these damaged vessels.
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3. High blood pressure:
During an eye exam, your eye doctor may detect signs of high blood pressure by watching your eye's blood vessels to see if they've narrowed or started to leak.
Edmonds noted: "Patients with high blood pressure can develop a condition called hypertensive retinopathy, which sees blood vessel walls thicken, narrow and restrict blood flow. In some cases, the retina swells and blood vessels can leak."
He added that if you have red spots in the front of your eyes, this could also be a sign of high blood pressure.
4. High cholesterol:
High cholesterol is usually reduced by the presence of too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in the blood.
The NHS says the main reason for this is eating fatty foods and not exercising.
Edmunds revealed that if you have static floaters (floats or floaters, which are deposits within the vitreous of the eyeball), this could be a sign of high cholesterol.
Another sign of high cholesterol that can be detected in the eye is the blue ring. This ring around the iris usually appears with age. This is caused by cholesterol deposits in the eye. They are more common in people aged 60 or over and usually do not have to worry about them.
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But Edmonds emphasized that "if this sign appears at the age of 40, there may be a higher risk of heart disease."
5. Jaundice:
If you have yellow eyes, you may have jaundice. Edmunds explains: “The condition occurs when hemoglobin (the part of the blood that carries oxygen) breaks down into bilirubin, which is not then eliminated from the body. It is supposed to travel from the liver to the bile ducts, but if it doesn't, yellowing of the skin may occur. eyes, and could indicate a problem with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.
6. Stroke:
Edmunds explained that the sudden onset of blurry vision could be caused by a stroke. He added that this can happen especially if blurred vision is combined with some other key sign such as slurred speech.
"Hazy vision can also indicate other eye conditions such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration," he said.
7. Arthritis:
In addition to causing inflammation in the joints, some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause eye inflammation, says Edmunds.
"This inflammation usually leads to dry eyes, but sometimes it can cause more serious conditions, such as uveitis," he added.
8. Tumors:
Edmunds says that while an eye test can look for any eye cancers such as melanomas, it sometimes detects potential brain tumors.
He continued: "Swelling in the optic nerve can be visible during an eye examination and can sometimes indicate the presence of a brain tumor."
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