It’s important to have regular eye exams, even if you don’t think you need them or wear glasses. Many common diseases can be detected during an eye exam, and they can be treated early if caught. At Prpic Eyecare Centre, we offer comprehensive eye exams that check for a variety of health conditions. Many people aren’t aware of the importance of getting regular eye exams, but by keeping up with your appointments, you can help to protect your vision and screen for any health concerns. If you’re overdue for an appointment or are wondering what to expect during your next check-up, read on for a brief overview of some of the common (and not-so-common) diseases that are screened for during an eye exam. We would be happy to help!
What are common eye diseases found during an eye exam?
Most people know that eye exams are done to check for common diseases including: cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Fortunately for your health, there are many systemic diseases and autoimmune conditions that may manifest in your eyes prior to showing any signs in other parts of the body. Some of the more common systemic diseases that can manifest in the eyes and affect your vision include diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, high cholesterol, shingles, and chlamydia. Our clinic and doctors use advanced technology, education, and training to thoroughly examine the eye and all if its constitute.
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Common Ocular Diseases |
Cataracts
Glaucoma Macular Degeneration Refractive Error (myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism) Diabetic Retinopathy |
| Cardiovascular disease in an eye exam |
High blood pressure Diabetes High Cholesterol Sickle Cell Disease Sleep Apnea |
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Autoimmune disease in the eye |
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Graves Disease Sarcoidosis AIDS and HIV Sjogren’s Syndrome Systemic Lupus Erythematosus |
| Infections in the eyes |
Bacterial Viral Shingles Herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea |
| Neurological |
Multiple Sclerosis Alzheimer’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Migraines |
What is a cataract?
A cataract, by definition, is a clouding or discolouration of the natural lens in the eye. When we are born the lens in the eye is typically perfectly clear, which allows light to pass through it without problem. As we age, proteins and lens fibres start to break down and that is what can subsequently lead to the clouding of the lens which is what subsequently limits the amount of light that can be focused on the retina.
Everyone, should they live long enough, will develop a cataract at some point in their life. The most common type of cataracts are age related in nature, but they can also be traumatic, congenital, or associated with other systemic diseases. The most common symptoms people develop from cataracts are:
- Decreased clarity in vision
- Issues with glare and night vision such as while driving
- Difficulty reading small print in dark rooms with poor lighting
The good news for people who develop cataracts is that the condition can be treated; in fact, cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the world. The average age for cataract surgery is in the early 70s. What the cataract surgeon does is they remove the natural lens in the eye, and replace it with in implant that is as clear as your natural lens once was. The added benefit of cataract surgery is that your prescription can sometimes be corrected by the implant as well. Ask your optometrist about a referral to a cataract surgeon!
What is glaucoma? Can it be found during an eye exam?
Glaucoma is an eye disease that is commonly known to be associated with the eye pressure that is measured during your comprehensive eye exams. Unfortunately, things are not always that simple; there are some people with low eye pressure that can still develop glaucoma, and some people with high eye pressure that do not. Glaucoma is sometimes referred to as the “silent thief of sight”. The reason for this title is because sometimes people can have advanced glaucoma and not even realize it. The way glaucoma typically affects your vision is by diminishing your peripheral vision, and it slowly and progressively gets smaller and smaller giving you tunnel vision. This change and loss of vision is typically very gradual in nature and is usually painless.
The reason our doctors are so proactive about glaucoma screening and management are because the condition is preventable, but not reversible. Treatment strategies can involve a combination of eye drops, laser treatments, surgeries, and oral medications. Some systemic conditions are also thought to increase your risk of developing glaucoma including: sleep apnea, migraines, and diabetes.
What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is one of many diseases found during an eye exam that has a significant impact on an individual’s ability to discern fine detail and high resolution in their central vision. Macular degeneration occurs when the cells in the central retina (photoreceptors that we call rods and cones) start to degenerate. When these cells degenerate they produce waste that we call drusen that starts to affect the vision.
The two types of macular degeneration are the dry form and the wet form. The dry form occurs when then these aforementioned cells die and waste gets produced in larger degrees. The wet form is when further damage occurs to the cell walls and blood vessels which lead to leakage and bleeding in the macula.
Some risk factors for macular degeneration include: age, history of smoking, gender, race, associated cardiovascular diseases, obesity, family history, and genetics. Be sure to talk to your optometrist about prevention strategies for macular degeneration which can involve a variety of techniques including: lifestyle changes, dietary changes, vitamin supplements, and UV protection. If your macular degeneration progresses to the wet form, there are further treatment modalities that exist including ocular injections and laser treatments.
What systemic diseases can be found during an eye exam?
Eye exams and diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
The body, more specifically the eye, is an exceptionally complex system that is very dependent on the cardiovascular circulatory system. In fact a part of the eye called the choroid has the highest blood flow per unit weight of any tissue in the human body. There are more sensitive ways of checking for some of these cardiovascular conditions, but it is not uncommon for your eye doctor to see early signs of changes in your eyes and recommend a consultation with your family physician.
A lot of people do not realize that diabetes is in fact that leading cause of blindness in the middle age population. Diabetes, a common disease found during an eye exam, causes damage to the microvasculature in the eyes causing leaky and weak blood vessels. Changes to the eye’s due to diabetes are often referred to as diabetic retinopathy but diabetes can also increase the risk of glaucoma and early cataracts.
High blood pressure can cause arteriosclerotic changes to the blood vessels in the eye which cause subtle changes to the appearance of the arteries and veins in the eyes called hypertensive retinopathy. More advanced hypertensive retinopathy can include leaking and hemorrhaging of the blood vessels which can sometimes be referred to as retinal artery or retinal vein occlusions.
When an individual has high cholesterol, fatty deposits start to form on the walls of the blood vessels. Unfortunately, these fatty deposits can block blood flow and essentially cause a “stroke” in the eye. These cholesterol deposits can manifest in the eye, and it is sometimes referred to as a hollenhorst plaque.
Eye exams and arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions. According to statistics, this illness attacks nearly 28 million people in Canada alone. Arthritis has many forms which cause pain and swelling of joints, but non-inflammatory types of arthritis can also affect other parts of your body, one of which includes the eye.
One of the most common ocular symptoms in people with arthritis is dry eye. Inflammation from arthritis can negatively affect that glands that produce your tears and subsequently lead to symptoms of dry eyes. Dry eye is a condition found in as many as 25% of Canadians. Fortunately, your eye doctor is able to provide you with treatment strategies to alleviate and manage any dry eye symptoms that manifest. First line treatment includes specific artificial tears, but advanced treatment can include state-of-the-art technology such as in our speciality contact lens clinic.
Arthritis can also cause inflammation in other parts of the eyes. When this inflammation occurs, depending on the location, it can sometimes be diagnosed as scleritis or uveitis. Scleritis is inflammation of a part of the eye called the sclera. Uveitis is inflammation of a part of the eye called the uvea. Both conditions typically lead to symptoms of severe achy eye pain and photophobia. Both conditions can cause severe vision loss should they not be treated promptly by your eye doctor.
Can regular eye exams prevent eye disease?
Many eye disease are preventable; however, not reversible. The team at Prpic Eyecare Centre believes in a proactive approach to eyecare. If your eye doctor diagnoses and treats your eye diseases early on or prior to them affecting your vision. By having regular eye exams and monitoring your ocular and visual conditions and disease in advance, you will be taking the right steps to optimize your vision over your entire lifetime.
Diseases found during an eye exam – conclusion
The eye is one of the most important organs in the body. It’s where we see and process light and our environment. Common eye diseases include cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Early intervention through eye exams is often the best plan to mitigate your risk of having complications from these conditions. When you, your family, and your kids come into our clinic for a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor may be able to detect systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and other systemic and autoimmune conditions. If you want to maintain good health and prevent blindness from ocular disease, schedule an eye exam today!
I hope this article has provided some insight on how many diseases can truly be found in an eye exam. Whether it is a condition specific to the eye, or ocular findings associated with systemic diseases, the best plan of action is the proactive one. For more information, visit Prpic Eyecare Centre and see how their services can help you optimize you ocular health and preserve your vision, call 604-337-2575 or email us at info@prpiceyecare.com
