6 Warning Signs Your Eyes Tell You About Your Health
Key Highlights :
Optometrists are highly trained medical professionals who are able to detect a range of chronic illnesses and afflictions by examining the eyes. From diabetes to cancer, optometrists can spot the early signs of serious health issues through a comprehensive eye exam. Sophie Koh, an optometrist and National Professional Services Advisor at Optometry Australia, has revealed the six warning signs your eyes tell you about your health.
Bloody retinas, swollen optic nerves, and grey rings around the cornea can all be indicative of a more serious condition. Optometry Australia recommends everyone should have a full eye exam every two years to preserve visual acuity and spot the early signs of various illnesses.
1. Cancer
Surprisingly, the eye may be the first place to show early signs of a range of cancers including brain tumours, melanoma, leukaemia and lymphoma. Swelling of the optic nerve, bloody retinas and new or irregular looking moles at front and the back of your eye can all point to something more serious. Optometrists may be the first to pick up on this during a routine eye exam.
2. Stroke
During an eye exam optometrists can pick up microscopic blood clots in the back of the eye which can suggest blood vessel damage due to high blood pressure and sometimes mean someone could be more likely to have a stroke. Blockages or clots in the retina can be the first sign that a person is at elevated risk of suffering from stroke.
3. Diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy affects the capillaries in the retina and initially appears as specks of blood in the back of the eye, which can be picked up during routine eye examinations. More drastic changes to vision aren't noticeable until the condition has progressed to advanced stages so regular eye exams can pick up the abnormality early.
4. Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis can cause a condition called optic neuritis where the optic nerve swells and causes blurry vision. For almost 25 per cent of people diagnosed with MS, optic neuritis was the first symptom they experienced. Swelling of the optic nerve can be the first sign of MS and optometrists can detect this during a routine eye exam.
5. High Cholesterol Levels
If a white, blue or grey ring is seen around the cornea it can mean there is a buildup of cholesterol happening in the bloodstream. This can show up even in your thirties and forties and optometrists may recommend further tests to assess the cholesterol levels in your blood.
6. Thyroid Disease
According to the Australian Thyroid Foundation, more than 1million Aussies are living with an undiagnosed thyroid disorder. Hyperthyroidism can cause swelling of ocular muscles which makes the eyeballs bulge and cause double vision. Bulging eyes is also known as ocular protrusion and can also coincide with dry eye, blurry vision or seeing double.
It is important to take any abnormalities in the eye seriously and visit an optometrist for a full eye exam. Regular eye exams can help detect diseases in their early stages and provide a better chance of successful treatment.
