Health Issues Your Eye Doctor Can Detect

Eye exams provide insight into your vision health and if you have eye conditions, but did you know an eye exam can also detect general health conditions? Palmetto Eye in Rock Hill, SC, can help you maintain your eye and vision health and protect your general well-being through comprehensive eye exams. We can detect conditions and help you get the prompt treatment you need. Below are several health conditions that your eye exam can detect.

High Cholesterol Levels

High cholesterol can build up in your eyes and produce a ring around the iris that can be gray, blue, or white. An eye exam can also detect cholesterol deposits in your retina’s blood vessels, indicating high cholesterol throughout your body.

Diabetes

Diabetes can significantly reduce your vision and cause eye issues. Your eye doctor can detect diabetes by examining your retina’s blood vessels. You may have diabetic retinopathy when these vessels leak fluid or blood.

Arthritis

Some forms of arthritis create inflammation that causes many symptoms, including dry eye syndrome, redness, light sensitivity, eye pain, cataracts, and glaucoma. Your eye doctor can spot these symptoms and help you determine if arthritis is the root cause. They can then recommend a medical doctor for further tests and treatment.

High Blood Pressure

Your optometrist can detect high blood pressure by narrowing and weakening your retina’s blood vessels. They can also discover high blood pressure by spotting bends, links, or tears in your blood vessels. Signs of high blood pressure that can appear in your eyes include leaking, swelling, or hardening of the blood vessels.

Types of Cancer

While detecting cancer through examining your eyes might seem odd, the eyes are often the first place to show signs of cancer. Changes to the optic nerve, eye shape, or eye color can all be signs of cancer. Your optometrist can also detect cancer through bloody retinas.

Schedule an Eye Exam With Your Rock Hill, SC, Eye Doctor Today

Eye exams are vital for maintaining eye and vision health, but these exams can also detect significant general health conditions. Contact Palmetto Eye in Rock Hill, SC, and schedule an eye exam to protect your vision and general well-being today at (803) 985-2020.