Eye exams provide a lot of insight into your overall health. They are often called the “window to the body”, as it is the only part where blood vessels can be visualized without imaging. In order to maintain healthy eyes and prevent vision problems the Canadian Association of Optometry recommends children and seniors have annual examinations, while patients 19-64 have examinations every 2 years.
The blood vessels examined during an evaluation of the retina give us a sample of how healthy the blood vessels are throughout the whole body. Many conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can be seen during an eye exam. There have been numerous times where I have seen diabetes affecting the vasculature of the eyes and referred the patient off to a family Doctor so they can be properly managed. There are also some prestroke signs and symptoms that can be picked up during an eye exam that if treated on time can prevent a stroke from occurring.
The eye is truly an amazing structure. While going through Optometry school I couldn’t believe how many different conditions can impact the eyes. They are an important part of your overall health and should be a part of your health care routine. The list goes on and on, but the eyes are involved in some autoimmune conditions (such as multiple sclerosis and thyroid disease), cancer, and even STI’s. There is some new research that is using the circulatory system of the retina to predict people at risk of Alzeheimer’s.
At Nuvue Optometry, we use the latest retinal imaging and optical coherence tomography to evaluate your retinal health. Book your next eye exam at Nuvue Optometry.
If you have any questions or would like to book a consultation, please call our friendly office anytime.Dr Devin W Almond, BSc, OD