5 Surprising Health Issues That Can Be Uncovered During an Eye Exam

Your eyes are the window to your soul — and your general health. Here are five surprising health conditions that your Calgary optometrist can discover during a comprehensive eye exam.

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Unlike a simple vision screening, a comprehensive eye exam can only be performed by a highly qualified eye doctor due to the special knowledge and advanced equipment required to look into your eye and check your vision, as well as your ocular and general health. 

Scheduling regular eye exams with your Calgary optometrist is important for the whole family as it will allow your eye doctor to: 

• Detect any signs of eye diseases that could threaten your eyesight
• Assess whether you have any underlying causes for vision problems
• Detect early symptoms of other health conditions, such as diabetes
• Provide you with an accurate eyeglasses/contact lens prescription

Eye Exams Are Critical to Prevent Vision Loss

Many vision-threatening eye diseases have no or minimal symptoms in the early stages, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. In such cases, early treatment and detection, which can only be done through an eye exam, is key to preventing vision loss. 

Our Calgary Optometrists Conduct Comprehensive Eye Exams to Protect Your Vision

At our Calgary eye clinic, our team of friendly and highly qualified eye doctors are dedicated to protecting your vision and overall health by providing comprehensive services, including family eye exams, glaucoma testing, contact lens fittings, cataract assessment, and more! 

Whatever the needs of your family, be it seniors or children, our Calgary optometrists have the experience and training to meet all your ocular requirements. 

Want to know more? 

EYE EXAMS IN CALGARY 

5 Health Conditions Your Eye Doctor Can Detect During an Eye Exam 

Many people believe that if there are no changes in their vision, there is no reason to visit the eye doctor. However, eye exams can often be as effective as a physical at detecting health problems. In fact, eye doctors are able to detect a range of health problems that may have otherwise gone undetected. 

Here are five common health problems your eye doctor may be able to detect: 

1. Diabetes: Did you know that an alarming number of people with diabetes go undiagnosed and don’t receive the treatment they require? An eye exam offers a chance for early detection, as it allows your eye doctor to look for changes in the blood vessels at the back of your eye — a clear indicator of diabetes.
2. Cancer: Many forms of cancer can be detected during an eye exam. For example, dark spots at the back of the eye can indicate melanoma, while retinal bleeding could be a sign of leukemia. Regular eye exams can help your eye doctor detect any abnormalities quickly, allowing you to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
3. High blood pressure: During an eye exam, abnormalities in the blood vessels at the back of your eye can signal high blood pressure. Additionally, symptoms can include blurry vision or spots on the retina. Hypertension issues can escalate quickly, affecting your vision and general health, so it’s important to seek treatment quickly.
4. High cholesterol: High cholesterol can be a problem for many Canadians, but it often goes undetected. One tell-tale sign of high cholesterol during an eye exam can be a coloured ring around the cornea. Additional signs could include yellow fatty deposits on the eyelids or around the eyes, or the presence of plaque in the retinal vessels.
5. Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases: Dry eyes are a common side effect of rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation of the irises is also a big indicator of rheumatoid arthritis. Eye doctors can often spot signs of other autoimmune diseases as well, such as lupus or multiple sclerosis.

Call Us Today

If you are due for an eye exam, or you are experiencing some changes in your vision, our Calgary eye doctors can provide friendly and professional services to help assess your eye health, clarity of vision, and help lower your risk of vision loss. 

To find out more, contact us at our Crowfoot (403-547-5417), West Springs (403-242-0999) or Creekside (403-516-2292) branches.