Most people believe that the eyes are the windows to the soul. For experts, the eyes can show various health problems. Read on to learn the eight things your eyes can reveal about your health.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma develops gradually and often without symptoms. It is among the leading causes of blindness. But when detected during its early stages, it is manageable. Routine eye exams can help catch it. Your eye doctor will encourage regular eye checkups if you are at risk of the condition due to family history or older age. The eye exam can pick up optic nerve damage due to glaucoma.

Diabetes

You could have diabetic retinopathy if your eye specialist notices blood specks at the back of your eye. The condition affects the capillaries in your retina and can cause blindness. Thus, seeking an early diagnosis through routine eye exams can help save your vision through treatment.

High Cholesterol

Your eye doctor can detect the formation of blue, gray, or white rings around your iris due to cholesterol buildup. High cholesterol can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease.

High Blood Pressure

Your eye doctor can detect signs of high blood pressure during an eye exam when they notice blood vessel damage. They often notice swelling, hardening, nicking, narrowing, or leaking.

High blood pressure can increase your risk for stroke, heart failure, heart attack, or affect your vision. Damaged blood vessels can cause distorted, blurred vision or complete loss of sight if untreated.

Arthritis

Dry eye syndrome is commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms often range from mild and uncomfortable to very severe due to dry eyes being prone to getting infected.

You can also experience eye pain, redness, and reduced or blurry vision if you have inflammatory forms of arthritis.

Multiple Sclerosis

A degenerative disease called multiple sclerosis can impact your entire nervous system. Your optic nerve will swell. You will also begin experiencing blurry vision when the disease attacks your nerves in a condition known as optic neuritis.

It is essential to note that optic neuritis does not mean you have multiple sclerosis. However, the two conditions often link to each other. Approximately 75 percent of individuals with multiple sclerosis have optic neuritis. It is often the first symptom that develops.

You can get an early diagnosis and treatment path if your eye doctor catches multiple sclerosis during your eye exam.

Stroke

You could be at a high risk of stroke if your eye doctor finds blood vessel damage or tiny blood clots at the back of your eye. They may need to do several tests and enforce preventative measures.

Cancer

The eyes can be one of the first places that show signs when cancer strikes. Your eye doctor can detect cancer signs through a comprehensive eye examination. They can find all indications during routine eye exams.

Your optic nerves can swell when you have a tumor. The eye also changes shape, leading to your field of vision getting affected. Your eye doctor can know if you have leukemia or if your retinas are bloody. You could also have ocular melanoma if your eyes change color.

Your eye specialist will thoroughly check the skin around your eyes for potential issues such as dark spots or freckles. They will refer you to a specialist if they find a problem or questionable area.

For more about your eyes and health, visit East Ventura Optometry at our Ventura, California office. Call (805) 647-4950 to book an appointment today.