4 Things You Didn't Know Your Eye Exam Checks For

Anyone who has had an eye exam knows that the eye doctor checks for healthy vision. However, most people don't know that a comprehensive eye exam can also reveal these other conditions.

1. Thyroid Disease

Bulging or protruding eyeballs are a symptom of thyroid disease, also known as Graves disease. An eye doctor may be able to diagnose this problem early to prevent it from worsening.

2. Diabetes

Diabetes may cause a condition known as diabetic retinopathy, in which capillaries in the eye release blood or a yellowish fluid. This will be easily visible during an eye exam.

3. High Cholesterol

High cholesterol can be diagnosed during an eye exam if the cornea is yellow or has a yellow ring around it. In addition, blood vessels in the retina may show plaque buildup.

4. Tumors

Believe it or not, an eye doctor may be able to detect tumors in the neck or brain from a simple eye exam. Early detection can be a lifesaver, so be sure to get your eyes checked regularly.

How Early Detection and Treatment Can Help to Prevent Blindness

Many people may not be aware of the several changes that occur while aging, and only a visit to an optician could help detect an underlying condition. The good news is that small preventive measures like eating greens and wearing sunglasses can help to protect a person's vision. But it is still necessary to pay a visit to the eye doctor for eye care services.

Commonly Detected Vision Problems

Glaucoma and diabetic eye are some of the problems that could potentially lead to eye blindness if a victim does not seek early treatment. Today, glaucoma affects more than three million Americans and early diagnosis is the key to preventing permanent blindness, as stated by the National Eye Health Education Program. It causes blindness by destroying the optic nerves of the eye. The baseline for regular eye exams is age 40.

Smokers Can Get Help Too

Smokers are exposed to cyanide, which travels through the bloodstream to the eyes where it can destroy cells. This increases the risk of developing cataracts and eye dryness. It also increases the chances for experiencing macular degeneration, which is incurable and destroys one's vision. With regular checkups and treatments by eye doctors, smokers can avoid getting these eye problems.

What is Glaucoma and How Does it Occur?

Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve. A human eye contains an intraocular fluid, which is created, circulated, and then finally excreted before the process begins again. If an imbalance occurs between the intraocular fluid produced and the amount that drains away, eye diseases such as glaucoma can develop, resulting in a loss of vision.

To get a better understanding of the importance of this fluid in the eye, one can compare the eye to a soccer ball. For a soccer ball to maintain its function, it must be filled with air. Just like a soccer ball, the eye also requires a certain amount of air pressure to keep its shape and to properly function.

There are a variety of issues which can affect an eye's ability to regulate intraocular fluid, including eye injuries, medical reactions, and abnormal blood vessel formation from diseases like diabetes. These issues can lead to a pressure change in the eye. If an eye is unable to regulate this itself, this pressure can push against nerve fibers, which can eventually damage the optic nerve.

However, it is also possible for glaucoma to occur when eye pressure is normal. Poor blood flow to the optic nerve may also be a cause. This happens when there is a narrowing of the blood vessels that nourishes the optic nerve.

Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma. Vision loss through the disease can’t be restored. For this reason, it is important to visit your ophthalmologist for a yearly screening. An early detection and treatment can help delay the progression of the disease.

How Do Cataracts Develop?

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, which can cause blurred vision. The development of cataracts is primarily age-related, but other diseases, such as diabetes, and lifestyle factors, such as smoking and alcohol use, can also play a role. Cataracts affect more than half of Americans by age 80, though some people in their 40s and 50s can develop age-related cataracts as well. They can occur in one or both eyes, but they do not spread from one eye to the other.

Patients with cataracts may experience blurry or clouded vision or poor night vision. Colors may seem tinted or faded, and they may notice excessive glare from headlights, lamps, or sunlight. They may also need frequent eyeglass prescription changes. These symptoms can be caused by other conditions as well, so patients should consult with an eye care professional if they experience them.

If a patient’s cataracts are advanced enough to interfere with daily life, cataract surgery may be recommended. Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures performed in the United States with 90 percent of patients who undergo the procedure reporting improved vision afterward.

Facts You Should Know About Laser Cataract Surgery

Traditional cataract surgery is safe and effective, and now even more so with the option of laser surgery. There is no urgency to cataract surgery, but anyone with cataracts will not see very well until the cataracts are fixed, so it is a good idea to open up this discussion with your doctor.

The First Step

Discuss your concerns, apprehensions, and expectations about cataract surgery with a skilled cataract surgeon. In addition to answering your questions, he or she can outline a plan of surgery tailored to your specific needs.

Why Laser Cataract Surgery?

This state-of-the-art procedure delivers the best chances for success with minimal undesirable side effects.

Differences Between Traditional and Laser Cataract Surgery

Traditional cataract surgery employs an ultrasonic needle to remove a cataract through a tiny incision in the eye made by tiny blades. Laser cataract surgery uses a laser to create an opening in the lens without blades. Laser surgery increases precision and safety while also decreasing the time a surgeon spends inside the eye.

Cost of Cataract Surgery

Although quality laser cataract surgery is not cheap, it is affordable for most through various payment plans. However, if a quoted price sounds like a bargain, beware. You only have one pair of eyes. Don't place them at risk. Instead, fix them right the first time.

Aging Eyes: Causes and Treatment of Cataracts

Part of the aging process involves changes in vision, so it's important to monitor ocular health as part of a comprehensive health plan. Luckily, many vision impairments, such as cataracts, are easy to identify and treat.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural, internal lens of the eye, leading to increasing blurriness in sight. Cataracts are painless, but if they progress without cataract surgery, they can lead to blindness.

Causes of Cataracts

Cataracts are caused by a buildup of protein in the lens of the eye, making it difficult to see. As new lens cells are produced, the old ones become compressed in the center, resulting in the cataract. Cataracts are typically related to growing older, as more than 50 percent of Americans over the age of 65 have them. However, other factors such as diabetes, smoking, UV radiation, and eye injuries can also contribute to cataracts.

Treatment

Often, simply prescribing glasses is enough to restore vision to a cataracts patient. However, cataract surgery is sometimes necessary. This procedure is one of the safest surgeries performed and is often done on an outpatient basis.

Why Visiting the Ophthalmologist is Important When Living With Diabetes

Diabetes can affect more than just blood sugar. In some patients, it can also cause diabetic retinopathy, which affects vision by damaging the small vessels located at the back of the eye. Glaucoma and cataracts are also a danger. That is why it is so important that patients with diabetes have their eyes checked by an ophthalmologist.

To protect eyes from the damaging effects of diabetic retinopathy, regular appointments with an ophthalmologist are necessary. These special doctors are trained to diagnose and treat all eye ailments. They are both medical doctors and surgeons. A general physician will not do extensive tests to catch these conditions.

Routine checks should include dilation of the eye, making it possible to see the back of the eyeball where the blood vessels are located. Not only will the doctor be able to tell if there is damage, but he or she can also check for other diseases that may be caused by diabetes.

Those who keep their blood sugar levels close to normal and routinely have their eyes checked by a licensed ophthalmologist are less likely to have complications.