Posted by: Aker Kasten Eye Center in Eye Exam, Eye Health on May 30, 2017
Your eyes don’t just tell the world a lot about how you feel emotionally; they can also offer a glimpse into how you feel health wise. For example, your eyes can signal you may have:
- Diabetes
- High levels of stress
- Infection
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
Signs of diabetes
You might assume that if your vision becomes blurry, you simply need glasses or contacts. Blurry vision is a signal to have your eyes checked, as it can be a sign of a serious eye problem, such as cataracts or macular degeneration. Blurry vision can also be a sign or a serious overall illness, namely, diabetes. A recent study found that over 70% of diabetic patients surveyed reported experiencing blurred vision before their diabetes diagnosis. Based on irregularities in the retina, we may also detect diabetes during an eye exam, even when you’ve had no symptoms.
Signs of stress
Lots of patients express concern when they have eye twitches. It’s usually something harmless that will go away on its own, but it can be a sign your stress levels are high and , you’re not getting enough sleep.
Signs of infection
In our patients who wear contact lenses, we look for white spots on the cornea that can b the sign of a corneal infection. You should also watch for them.
Signs of high blood pressure
Untreated high blood pressure can, among many other health problems, damage the blood vessels in your retina, and you will likely see the effects when you look in the mirror. We can also spot damage from high blood pressure during your eye exam, even if you haven’t noticed anything unusual.
Signs of high cholesterol
A white ring around your iris is most commonly a sign of aging, but it can also be an indication of high cholesterol and triglycerides.
Pay attention to what your eyes are trying to say, but…
Many problems with your eyes can get started without giving you any signs or symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to see your eye doctor regularly for a dilated eye exam. Call for your appointment today: (561) 338-7722.