While emotions are certainly revealed by looking at one’s eyes, eye doctors know that there is a lot to be learned from a person’s eyes. The eyes are a part of the body, perhaps a truly unique part, and much can be learned about the health of the entire body from looking at the eyes. So when patients come in for an “eye exam”, they really are getting much more.
For example, just looking at the eyes can detect protruding staring eyes – a sign of thyroid disease or eyelid swelling, or signs of heart and kidney disease. Eyelid redness and inflammation can be a sign of systemic skin disorders. The way the eyes move can indicate diseases such as multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, degenerations and other neurologic diseases.
Looking at the front of the eyes under a microscope can reveal signs of gout, blood disorders such as myeloma, brain arterio-venous fistulas, syphilis, tuberculosis, leprosy, liver disease, metabolic abnormalities, collagen vascular diseases, vitamin deficiencies and medication toxicities.
A dilated exam of the retina and back of the eye is unique as it is the only place in the body where a doctor can directly view a person’s blood vessels and the blood coursing through them. A retinal exam may reveal signs of such diseases as hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, collagen vascular diseases, immunodeficiency syndromes, leukemias, anemias and brain tumors.
So during your complete eye exam, the doctor is looking at a lot more than just your eyes. That is why some eye doctors may ask if you have other diseases and medical conditions before your exam as this is most helpful for the doctor.
Shouldn’t an annual eye exam be part of your routine?