Why Your Eye Test Could Reveal More Than You Think

Regular eye examinations aren’t just about checking whether you need new glasses. They can also provide valuable clues about your wider health.

Your eyes are often described as a window to your health, and there is good reason for that. During an eye examination, an optometrist can examine structures at the back of the eye, including the retina and the blood vessels that supply it.

Changes in these structures can sometimes be associated with conditions affecting other parts of the body. In some cases, this means an eye examination can identify signs that need further investigation before you have noticed any symptoms yourself.

Recent research has highlighted just how much information our eyes may provide.

Could an eye scan help identify high blood pressure?

The retina is the only part of the body whereby clinicians can view the blood vessels in the whole body.  They give useful information about circulation and high blood pressure. We can detect blockages (embolism) in the blood vessels which could potentially travel to the brain causing a stroke. Also, the diameter of the blood vessels, their tortuosity and how the appear when they cross over each other gives a good indication of potential high blood pressure.

If any problems are suspected you may be advised to see your GP for further tests.

Your eyes and diabetes

Diabetes can affect the tiny blood vessels within the retina, causing a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. This starts when the cell walls in the retinal blood vessels become leaky and tiny amounts of blood seep out to form tiny dot retinal haemorrhages. Progressively the leakage increases causing more serious retinal problems.

In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may cause no noticeable changes to your vision. That is why screening and regular eye care are so important for people living with diabetes. Early detection can help reduce the risk of serious damage and sight loss.

It is important to understand that diabetic eye screening and a routine eye examination are not the same thing. If you have diabetes, you should attend your NHS diabetic eye screening appointments as well as having regular examinations with your optometrist.

An eye examination can also identify other eye conditions that may be associated with diabetes, including glaucoma.

Detecting glaucoma before you notice a problem

Glaucoma is another important reason not to put off your regular eye examination.

One of the difficulties with glaucoma is that it often develops gradually without obvious symptoms. Many people do not realise they have it until significant damage has occurred.

During a routine eye examination, your optometrist can carry out checks that can help identify signs of glaucoma. If there are concerns, you may be referred for further investigation and monitoring.

Early detection is particularly important because treatment can help slow the progression of glaucoma and protect your remaining vision.

Your eyes can tell us more about your health

The relationship between eye health and general health extends beyond diabetes, glaucoma and heart conditions.

The retina contains a network of blood vessels and nerve cells that can provide researchers and clinicians with valuable information. Advances in retinal imaging are allowing scientists to investigate whether changes in the eye could be associated with conditions including cardiovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, stroke, dementia and neurological conditions.

However, it’s important to put this research into perspective. An eye examination isn’t a substitute for visiting your GP or having appropriate medical tests, and an optometrist cannot diagnose every general health condition through an eye test.

Instead, an eye examination can sometimes spot something that warrants further investigation.

That could ultimately mean being referred to your GP or another healthcare professional for appropriate tests.

Don’t wait until you notice a change in your vision

Perhaps the most important message is that you shouldn’t wait until something feels wrong before booking an eye examination.

Some eye conditions can develop without noticeable symptoms, meaning that you may feel that your vision is perfectly fine whilst health changes are already taking place.

Regular examinations allow your optometrist to monitor your eyes over time and identify changes that may otherwise go unnoticed.

And as research continues to demonstrate, the information available from the eyes could become increasingly valuable in understanding our wider health.

So, when was your last eye examination?

If you’re due for a check-up, book an appointment with our team at Lesley Cree Opticians. Regular eye examinations are an important part of looking after your eyesight and can provide valuable reassurance about your eye health.

Book your eye examination with Lesley Cree Opticians today.