Annual eye exams can uncover serious and treatable problems. As you age, routine checkups are increasingly important because they can uncover issues like heart disease and cancer. The conditions below are among the many potential challenges to good health that are visible in the eyes.     

5 Health Problems That Eye Exams Can Reveal

1. High Blood Pressure 

During typical exams, optometrists can see blocked, hemorrhaging, and leaking blood vessels, which are signs of high blood pressure, or hypertension. Untreated hypertension leads to strokes, heart attacks, dementia, kidney failure, and vision loss because it causes clogged arteries that restrict blood flow to the organs.          

2. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 

Signs of sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and some herpes infections, can include pinkeye, which will be resistant to antibiotic eye drops. An eye doctor will notice this type of pinkeye during a routine exam. Also, changes in the retina are typical indications of HIV. Finally, when individuals have syphilis, their pupil color can take on a grayish hue.  

3. Tumors & Cancer

Regular exams may reveal patients are losing their field of vision. When an eye doctor notices this loss, they will refer you for tumor testing when appropriate.

Vision care professionals suspect eye tumors or melanoma inside the eye when they see enlarged blood vessels. An ultrasound is an additional test that helps confirm eye cancer. 

4. Autoimmune Diseases

Chronic inflammation in the body shows up as swollen and red eyes. Patients with this eye condition may have  treatable autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and spondyloarthritis.

5. Heart Disease

Plaque can break off of clogged arteries in the body and block blood vessels in the eyes. When an optometrist looks at the veins and arteries behind the eyes during an exam, it can help identify heart disease. 

Regular eye exams protect your vision and overall health. When it’s time to schedule an eye doctor visit, turn to Dr. Michael R. Schmit in Cincinnati, OH. This eye care professional has provided comprehensive eye exams and corrective lens prescriptions to patients of all ages since 1980. To learn more about his services including screening for cataracts and macular degeneration, visit the website, or call (513) 741-8811 to schedule an appointment.