5 Health Problems an Eye Test Can Detect Early in Cambridge, Ontario

Most people think of an eye test as a way to check vision and update your glasses. But did you know that a comprehensive eye exam can also reveal signs of broader health issues? It’s true – your eyes provide a unique window into your overall health. For residents in Cambridge, Ontario and surrounding areas (Kitchener, Waterloo, Galt, etc.), understanding the health insights from an eye test can underscore why those regular exams are so important. In this article, we’ll discuss five surprising health problems that an optometrist might detect during a routine eye test. Catching these issues early can make a big difference in treatment outcomes. At G&G Eye Doctors, our comprehensive exams do more than just check your vision – we also monitor the health of your eyes for clues about your overall well-being.

Conditions Your Eye Test Could Uncover

During a thorough eye exam, our optometrists evaluate the health of your eyes in detail. In doing so, we can sometimes spot signs of systemic health problems. Here are five health conditions that an eye test can help detect early:

• Diabetes: Examining the retina and blood vessels in the back of the eye can reveal changes caused by diabetes. Tiny blood vessel leaks or hemorrhages in the retina (diabetic retinopathy) might be visible even before a person knows they have diabetes. An eye doctor can sometimes detect diabetes or pre-diabetes from these retinal changes early, allowing you to seek treatment to control blood sugar and prevent vision loss.
• High blood pressure (Hypertension): High blood pressure can cause subtle damage to the retinal blood vessels, such as narrowing of arteries or small retinal bleeding. During an eye test, we may see signs of hypertension in your eyes even if you have no other symptoms. Discovering this is important, since uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease and stroke – if we notice hypertensive changes, we’ll advise you to follow up with your primary care provider.
• High cholesterol: Your optometrist might spot yellowish deposits in the retinal blood vessels or a blue ring around the cornea (corneal arcus) that can be associated with high cholesterol. In some cases, a cholesterol plaque (called a Hollenhorst plaque) can be visible in the blood vessels of the retina, indicating an increased risk of carotid artery disease or stroke. Seeing such signs in an eye exam would prompt a referral to your physician for further evaluation of your cholesterol and cardiovascular health.
• Thyroid disease: Conditions like Graves’ disease (overactive thyroid) can cause characteristic eye changes. These include bulging, prominent eyes, retracted eyelids, or restricted eye movement. An eye exam can detect these signs of thyroid eye disease. If we observe unexplained prominence of the eyes or other changes, we may recommend you get your thyroid function tested, as treating the thyroid condition can also help improve the eye symptoms.
• Neurological conditions: The optic nerves in your eyes can show warning signs of brain-related issues. Swelling of the optic nerve (papilledema) seen during an eye exam can indicate increased pressure in the brain, which might be due to a brain tumor or other neurological problems. Also, certain patterns of vision loss (detected through peripheral vision testing) may suggest a neurological issue like a pituitary tumor or past stroke. If an eye test uncovers something suspicious – such as optic nerve swelling or visual field defects – we will arrange immediate further testing and refer you to the appropriate specialist.

As you can see, an eye exam is about much more than vision – it’s an important health check. That’s why our optometrists take the time to examine the internal structures of your eyes at every comprehensive visit. It’s not uncommon for an eye test to be the first clue to conditions like hypertension or diabetes that a patient wasn’t aware of. By catching these issues early, you can seek treatment sooner and potentially prevent complications, both for your eyes and your overall health. Remember, your eyes are the only place in the body where we can directly see blood vessels and the optic nerve without surgery – giving us a unique view into your health.

Book Your Eye Test Today

If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, consider scheduling one not just for your vision, but for your overall peace of mind. At G&G Eye Doctors in Cambridge, our comprehensive eye tests include thorough health checks that can uncover issues early. Whether you’re concerned about something or just due for a routine exam, book an appointment with our team today. We’re proud to serve Cambridge and the surrounding communities, helping you safeguard both your sight and your health.