HEALTH & BEAUTY
Six Health Conditions an Eye Exam Can Reveal Dr Andy Hepworth from optical lens specialists Essilor.co.uk explains what eye examinations can reveal beyond short or long sightedness and common eye conditions.
“TV Celebrity Sue Perkins recently revealed that her father was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour as a result of an eye examination at an optician. This is one example of why it’s vital for people to get their eyes checked regularly by a professional, at least within the recommended timeframe of every two years minimum, even if your vision seems fine. “Eyes are like a magnifying glass into the inner workings of our blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues throughout the body. So eye examinations are an important health check for overall wellbeing – and a potential way to identify an underlying potentially lifethreatening issues.
Here’s six signs of other health
retinopathy happens when the
broken blood vessel in the white
issues that eye tests can reveal:
blood vessels in the eye are
of the eye, can be associated
damaged by high blood glucose
with high blood pressure.
1. Brain tumours Tumours on the brain can cause increased pressure that results in swelling near the back of the eyes – meaning that an optometrist
can
see
these
abnormalities. Changes in pupil
levels, which is a serious condition if left undiagnosed. Early signs are usually picked up during diabetic eye screening – this is when photographs of your eyes are taken to check for damage.
5. High Cholesterol Eye tests can detect some warning signs that point to the presence of high cholesterol. For example, sometimes people with
high
cholesterol
have
size or double vision are also
3. Cardiovascular conditions
small deposits of fat (called
potential signs of a brain tumour.
Eye exams can detect a number
xanthelasmas) that can occur
Other cancers that might affect
of
conditions,
on the eyelids. Similarly, by
the eyelids and outer surfaces of
including clogged arteries or
examining the cornea – the
the eye can also be found during
decreased blood flow due to
dome shaped clear structure
a detailed eye exam.
heart disease. These conditions
in front of your iris - it can show
can leave plaque deposits or
what’s called an arcus that can
show as damage within the
relate to cholesterol levels.
2. Diabetes Diabetes affects eye tissue and
cardiovascular
eye area to indicate a more significant health issue.
6. Thyroid eye disease
in the retina that leak yellow
4. High Blood Pressure
condition in which the eye
fluid or blood can be a sign
A very slight bleed in the eye,
muscles, eyelids, tear glands
of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic
that presents itself as a tiny
and fatty tissues behind the
thus can be identified with an eye exam. Tiny blood vessels
n 22 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 217 | May 2022
Thyroid
eye
disease
is
a
