They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul, but can they also be windows to your health?

It turns out that a general eye exam can be just as effective at determining your overall health as a yearly physical. If you’ve been putting off your eye exam because you feel that your vision hasn’t changed, ditch this habit and start seeing your eye doctor regularly. Comprehensive eye exams monitor the eyesight and rule out eye disorders such as glaucoma, cataracts or other retinal problems.

In this post, we are going to cover seven different health problems that can be diagnosed through the eyes.

1. Hypertension

Blood vessels in the eye can be a strong indication of a problem with high blood pressure. The vessels might have bends, kinks or tears as a result of the blood pushing against the arteries too hard.

2. Diabetes

Diabetes affects the eyes by causing the blood vessels in the retina to leak a yellowish fluid or blood. These symptoms can be seen in an eye exam and may also signal diabetic retinopathy that affects the retina of the eye.

3. Thyroid Disease

Graves Disease is a type of thyroid disease that causes the eyes to bulge or protrude. By seeing your eye doctor, you can learn more about your thyroid health.

4. Tumors

If your eye doctor notices that the structure of your eye appears strange, they will refer you to a specialist who can run further tests. Sometimes it turns out to be nothing, but other times, it can be an indication of ocular melanoma. Additionally, irregularly shaped pupils or droopy eyelids may indicate that a neck tumor is present. It’s also possible to have basal cell carcinomas on the eyelid. An eye exam checks for signs of tumors that could easily spread.

5. High Cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol, the cornea may have a yellowish tint to it. It’s also possible for high cholesterol to create plaques on the blood vessels of the retina.

6. Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders cause inflammation throughout the body, and sometimes, this inflammation can be seen through the eyes. If your eyes are inflamed, you may be referred to a specialist who works with autoimmune conditions, such as a rheumatologist.

7. Influenza

Surprisingly, there are many subtle signs that can be seen within the eyes that may indicate influenza. Small bumps or irritation found under the lid are the main signs that show a patient may be symptomatic

Seeing your eye doctor annually isn’t just for testing your eyesight. It’s an opportunity to get a second look at your overall health!