What Do Your Eyes Say About Your Health?

What Do Your Eyes Say About Your Health?

Image of a woman making a window with her fingers over her eyes.

Have you ever wondered why your eye care provider spends so much time carefully examining your eyes? Although they are looking for diseases or conditions that can affect your vision during eye exams, he or she is also searching for signs that may indicate that you have a general health problem. These eight diseases often cause symptoms that can be seen in your eyes.

Diabetes

When your blood sugar is high for a long period of time, the small blood vessels in your retina may begin to leak, causing a condition called diabetic retinopathy. The retina lines the back of your eye and sends light signals to the brain, where they're interpreted as images. When your vessels leak blood or fluid, your vision can become blurred, and you may lose central vision or the ability to see colors. If diabetic retinopathy progresses, new blood vessels form in the retina, worsening vision problems. Prompt treatment of diabetic retinopathy helps prevent permanent damage to your vision.

Cataracts, a condition that occurs when the clear lens inside your eye becomes cloudy, can be another clue that you may have diabetes. People who have diabetes are 60 percent more likely to develop the condition than those who don't, according to the American Diabetes Association. Cataracts may also appear at a younger age and progress more rapidly if you have diabetes.

High Cholesterol

High cholesterol occurs when a fatty substance called plaque narrows your arteries, increasing your risk for heart disease and heart attacks. In some cases, fat deposits form a partial or full white ring around the edge of your corneas. The deposits, common in older people, can be a sign of cholesterol problem if you're under 40.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Iritis, an inflammation of the iris, may be more likely to occur if you have ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory form of arthritis. Pain often starts in the lower back but can eventually spread to your neck, hips, ribs, shoulders and heels as the disease progresses. If you have iritis, your eye may be painful, red and very sensitive to light.

Liver Damage

Yellow eyes or skin can be a sign of jaundice, a condition that occurs when your liver produces too much bilirubin in response to inflammation or damage. Damage can occur due to viruses, autoimmune disorders, genetic diseases or alcohol abuse.

Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle-shaped blood cells block vessels, causing severe pain, anemia and fatigue if you have sickle cell disease. The blood vessels in the eyes can also be affected by the disease. Common eye symptoms of sickle cell disease include eye pain and redness, peripheral vision loss, blurry vision, floaters and jaundice. Blockage of the blood vessels in the retina may lead to a hemorrhage of the retina or vitreous, the clear gel that gives the eye its shape. It's important to see your eye care professional as soon as possible if you have sickle cell disease and notice changes in your vision.

Myasthenia Gravis

Drooping eyelids are the first symptom of myasthenia gravis for 50 percent of people who develop the autoimmune disorder, according to Brigham and Women's Hospital. The disorder attacks and weakens the muscles in your body under your control, such as those in your arms and legs. If you have myasthenia gravis, you may find it hard to walk or hold your head upright. The condition can also affect your ability to chew, speak and breathe.

Heart Disease

It makes sense that blood vessels in the eye would be just as affected as vessels in other parts of your body if you have heart disease. Minor changes to the vessels in your retina, such as swelling or narrowing, or swelling of the base of the optic nerve, may mean that you're at risk of developing heart disease. Luckily, once you know that you have risk factors for heart disease, you can make diet and lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.

Brain and Nerve Conditions

Eye twitches often occur if you're tired, stressed, or if your eye is irritated. Although most eye twitches aren't serious, the symptom can sometimes be a sign of a brain or nerve condition, such as Bell's palsy, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.

Regular visits to your eye care provider not only helps protect your vision, but also safeguards your general health. If it's been a while since you've visited our office, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

American Diabetes Association: Eye Complications, 11/1/13

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/eye-complications/

Brigham and Women's Hospital: Ocular Myasthenia Gravis

http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Departments_and_Services/neurology/services/NeuroOphthamology/OcularMyasthenia.aspx

WebMD: What Your Eyes Say About Your Health, 8/8/16

https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/ss/slideshow-eyes-health

Readers Digest: Shocking Diseases That Eye Doctors Find First

https://www.rd.com/health/conditions/shocking-diseases-eye-doctors-find-first/

Scribd: Early Chronic Condition Detection: Via Eye Exam Study Findings

https://www.scribd.com/doc/240319966/VSP-HCMS-White-Paper-Study?secret_password=WYXzze2C7r2ITaWzg6mJ&irgwc=1&content=10079&campaign=Skimbit%2C%20Ltd.&ad_group=35871X943606Xf3ab1380ea8139d2748ac7f46ac2b856&keyword=ft750noi&source=impactradius&medium=affiliate

Testimonials

Reviews From Our Satisfied Patients

  • I have been seeing Dr. William Berk for the last 20 years and have always received top notch service. Highly recommend Dr. Bill and his wife Dr. Anne Berk.

    - July 26, 2022
  • dr. anne is the best! she is really caring, professional, and hilarious. not many can make an eye exam enjoyable, but she and her staff are successful! :)

    - June 9, 2020
  • Love Dr. Anne! She is fantastic and so helpful figuring out solutions for seeing well in all areas of life! Thank you! Also staff is friendly and caring and was super happy to have photos instead of dilation and no more air puffs for eye pressure! State of the art!

    - September 22, 2022
  • I have been going here for over 6 years. They are thorough and care sbout your eye health. They also have great service. I definitely recommend them.

    - January 14, 2023
  • Great people great service been coming to them for 30 years😍

    - October 27, 2022
  • Getting new frames is always a painless and pleasant experience here. The staff are professional and friendly.

    - August 27, 2022
  • This place is awesome. Everyone is so nice and you feel like you are getting the best deal. This is my new eye place. The best ever. Thank you all for treating me with professionalism.

    - January 15, 2023
  • Friendly staff, welcoming setting, professional opinions, and great prices! Dr Kimmi is the best! Can’t recommend this place highly enough!

    - January 26, 2023
  • I really love all the people at HV Vision Source! The doctors listen to any questions or concerns I have & never give up on helping me. Thanks so much❣️

    - January 28, 2023
  • My Happy Valley Vision Source appointment went well. Dr. Chan was very helpful and informative regarding my vision requirements. I recommend them if you need eye care.

    - May 19, 2023
  • This was my first time at this office. Everything from the booking experience to the exam to the final payment was great. Everyone was very professional. I'll definitely be back and recommend this place!

    - March 10, 2023
  • The doctor and staff were great. Very knowledgeable and willing to answer all my questions and help me select a new pair of glasses. Thank you for the great service.

    - March 18, 2023
  • I arrived early. Only waited about 5 minutes. I ❤️ Dr.Nguyen. She's like a breath of fresh air. She diagnosed my issue quickly and I'm on the road to recovery! Thank you!😊

    - July 5, 2023
  • Completed my eye exam within an hour and everyone there is nice. Probably the best office I have been to throughout my life having glasses.

    - May 11, 2023
  • Wonderful experience, and very helpful getting my vision back to perfect.

    - June 9, 2023
  • I had the best experience here! I would recommend Happy Valley Vision Source to anyone looking for a new place to have an eye exam. I love my glasses and contacts and the staff was amazing!

    - May 23, 2023

Hours of Operation

Due to appointment demand, you may be charged a minimum $39 fee if you cancel or miss your appointment without 24 hour notice.

Office Hours

Monday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Office Hours

Monday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

Locations

Find us on the map