According to experts in an article in the Daily Mail, as many as 1 in 5 us have a health problem not related to the eye that could be diagnosed by our optician. Here are some common conditions that can be spotted:
1. Hypertension (High blood pressure)
What is it? Puts extra strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack/stroke
How spotted? High blood pressure causes damage to the blood vessels in the retinas
2. High Cholesterol
What is it? Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that can increase your risk of heart attack
Doctors can use eye test results to diagnose other conditions
How spotted? Bits of cholesterol can break away from deposits in the body and lodge in the blood vessels of the retina, which the optician sees as tiny yellowish blockages. There may also be a thin white line circling the iris (coloured part of the eye) due to cholesterol deposits.
3. Brain Tumour
What is it? Tissue growths that can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign)
How spotted? Swelling of the optic nerve can be a possible sign
4. Thyroid disease
What is it? Malfunction in the production of hormones, that regulate metabolism, in the thyroid gland
How spotted? Bulging or protruding eyeballs are a symptom of thyroid disease
5. Multiple sclerosis (MS)
What is it? Neurological disability which can cause fatigue and memory problems
How spotted? There will be swelling of the optic nerve, blurred vision and sensitivity to light
6. Diabetes
What is it? Too high levels of sugar in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease
How spotted? High blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing leaks of blood and fatty deposits
7. Stroke
What is it? Caused by either a blockage or bleed in the brain. Patients may have a series of minor strokes before suffering a major one
How spotted? The eye exam will reveal tiny clots or particles of cholesterol moving through the blood vessels in the retina, which can indicate that a person may already have had a stroke
Best get my next eye test booked then! But the important thing is to remember that if you are diagnosed with one of these conditions, that there is plenty of information available to help you carry on living your life in the way that you want to. For example, you could check out www.allclear4you.com, with information designed specifically for travelling with medical conditions.
Tags: accessible travel, AllClear, AllClear4you, diabetes, eye health, health news, Travelling with Medical Conditions