Signs of conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can reflect in vision health. Here’s what to know so you can be proactive at your next eye exam.
Your eyes do more than take in the information around you. They can reflect what’s inside, too.
In fact, our eyes have the ability to reveal things about our health that might otherwise fly under the radar, including blood pressure, whether you have diabetes and if you have a genetic health condition. This makes staying on top of regular eye exams all the more important, as your eye doctor will have a window seat to some measures of health you may be missing.
Especially as we age, when some changes to vision can be expected, it’s important to stay on top of eye health. Here’s a closer look at which health conditions the eye can give you a glimpse of, sometimes before you even notice symptoms. Heart disease
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the eye is the only place a doctor can see blood vessels in “live action” without an invasive procedure. This means that evidence of high blood pressure (which often has no symptoms), high cholesterol, stroke and other health conditions linked to heart health may be first seen by your eye doctor.
The AAO pointed to 2021 research published in The Lancet that found decreased blood flow from heart disease (ischemia) may cause damage to the retina, which can be seen on retinal scans. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the US, and the earlier it’s detected, the better.
If you aren’t already offered a retinal scan as part of your eye exam, ask your doctor for one. High blood pressure
High blood pressure not only leads to heart problems or heart disease, it can also raise the risk of some conditions of the eye, including glaucoma and macular degeneration, according to the AOA. And it may be visible during an eye exam due to the way it affects blood vessels. Diabetes
Diabetes is very common (about 1 in 10 Americans have it) and symptoms of it are often seen in the eye. Diabetes can lead to partial vision loss, double the risk of glaucoma, increase the risk of cataracts and lead to diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is when high blood sugar levels cause blood vessels in the eye to swell, leak or close. As of 2017, diabetic retinopathy was the leading cause of blindness among adults in developed countries, according to the American Diabetes Association. For this reason, people with diabetes are typically recommended for retinal scans because of the way it causes damage to the retina.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy (and signs you should get to your doctor ASAP) include blurred vision, a sudden, large amount of “eye floaters,” blurred or fluctuating vision and dark or empty areas of vision.
