Vision problems can occur for all sorts of reasons. Some issues—such as farsightedness and nearsightedness—can’t always be prevented. However, many other eye conditions are avoided by paying close attention to your overall general health. As Medical Eye Center explains, when other health problems aren’t properly monitored or cared for, poor vision or ocular disease can occur. To help you protect your sight, this eye doctor of Columbia, MD, highlights a few health problems that require extra vision care.

5 Health Problems to Tell Your Eye Doctor About

1. Arthritis

While known to primarily affect joint health, arthritis can sometimes affect vision health. According to the Arthritis Foundation, chronic inflammation within the eye can increase the risk of dry eye, cataracts, glaucoma, and other ocular conditions.

2. High Blood Pressure

When you have high blood pressure, the blood is rushing through your body at a higher force than it should. Over time, this pressure can damage vessels and cause retinopathy. Since vision loss related to retinopathy may not be noticeable right away, comprehensive exams from an eye doctor are necessary to detect and treat the problem early on.

3. Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugars. When the levels are high, blood vessels can get damaged—including those in the eye. This can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition that causes blurry vision and possible blindness. Diabetics also experience a higher risk of glaucoma—a potentially-blinding ocular disease that is characterized by high levels of pressure within the eye.

4. Lupus

Typically affecting female patients, lupus is a chronic autoimmune condition that can damage any organ in the body.  As the Lupus Association of America explains, this condition can lead to eye inflammation that may lead to dry eye, nerve damage, and retina problems.

5. Multiple Sclerosis

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, vision problems are often one of the first signs that a person has MS—an autoimmune condition that causes progressive nerve damage. When MS causes inflammation of the optic nerve, people may experience blurry vision, an inability to perceive colors correctly, dark floaters, or blindness in one eye.

If you have any of these chronic health problems, keeping your vision healthy depends on getting regular check-ups from a trusted eye doctor—including those at the Medical Eye Center in Columbia, MD. Addressing everything from dry eye to glaucoma, these local ophthalmologists have the resources necessary to catch vision problems early and offer treatment that may help preserve sight. Visit this practice online to learn more about their comprehensive resources. To schedule a convenient appointment, call a friendly staff member at (410) 997-9900.