Regular comprehensive eye exams are beneficial for eye health as well as overall health and well-being. An eye exam can help detect different health conditions in their earliest stages.

They include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, brain tumors, and cancer. Apart from these diseases, an eye doctor can detect other conditions by examining the eye structures. Following are surprising health issues an eye exam can detect.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MS is a degenerative condition that affects the nervous system. It is potentially disabling. Multiple sclerosis results in the immune system attacking nerve fibers. It causes a communication breakdown between the patient's brain and other body parts. 

During an eye exam, the doctor may detect an optic nerve inflammation, leading to a diagnosis of MS. People with MS experience blurred vision, double vision, and pain during eye movement. 

Lyme Disease
 

Lyme disease is a condition that results from ticks. The bloodborne infection causes complete body inflammation, including optic nerve inflammation. When the infection begins, patients experience eye floaters—spots that drift in the field of vision.

Lupus
 

Lupus is a severe autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in different body systems. The condition can be linked to dry eye syndrome. Lupus can cause swelling in several areas of the eye. This includes the retina (light-sensitive back of the eye), uvea (middle of the eye), and sclera (white of the eye).  

Rheumatoid Arthritis
 

An eye exam detects rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory condition affecting the joints. Experiencing pain or inflammation of the eye sclera or red and severely painful eyes could be due to rheumatoid arthritis. The eye condition, known as scleritis, requires immediate medical treatment. Many RA patients also experience dry eye syndrome. 

Thyroid Disorder
 

Retracting lids and protruding eyeballs indicate a patient has hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid gland. The condition often manifests alongside dry eye, as the lids fail to cover the eye surface. An eye doctor can measure the eyeball protrusion to determine if the patient has the disorder. 

Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune condition characterized by an attack by the body's white cells. The cells attack the glands that produce tears that cleanse and lubricate the eyes. Lack of proper lubrication causes dry eye. Symptoms of the autoimmune disorder include stinging, burning, blurry vision, and other symptoms of dry eye. 

Parkinson's Disease

No conclusive tests can detect Parkinson's disease in the early stages. However, people with the condition often suffer from ocular tremors. Eye-tracking technology can help measure eye movements and diagnose Parkinson's disease. The technology can identify ocular tremors, allowing early diagnosis of the condition, which is vital for early intervention.

Other health issues detected during an eye exam include abnormal pupillary reactions, aneurysms, and vascular disease. The exams can also detect vitamin A deficiency and sexually transmitted infections. An eye doctor can help detect health issues during comprehensive eye examinations. 

For more surprising health issues an eye exam can detect, visit Optical Masters at our Denver, Colorado offices. Call (720) 807-7300 or (720) 807-7600 today to schedule an appointment.