It turns out your eyes might be doing more than helping you see, they could also be giving doctors a glimpse into your overall health. According to medical experts, trained professionals can detect signs of serious health conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease just by examining your eyes.
While most people associate diagnoses of these illnesses with blood tests or scans, subtle changes in the eyes can sometimes signal trouble before symptoms even begin. That’s because the eyes contain a dense network of tiny blood vessels, nerves, and tissues that are highly sensitive to changes in the body.
“A lot of diseases that affect the whole body can leave clues in the eyes,” explained Dr. Raj Dasgupta, chief medical officer at Sleepopolis, speaking to the Daily Mail. “That’s why regular eye exams are so important, they can give us early warning signs, sometimes even before vision is affected.”
In fact, Dr. Jacqueline Bowen, president-elect of the American Optometric Association, says that optometrists can detect up to 270 health conditions that aren’t directly related to eye health, just through a standard eye exam.
What Diseases Can Be Spotted?
One of the most serious conditions that can show up in the eyes is cancer, particularly eye cancers like ocular melanoma. This rare type of cancer forms in the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, and may first appear as a dark spot on the iris. Other signs can include blurry vision, flashes of light, or a change in the size of the pupil.
According to Dr. Dasgupta, swelling around the eyelids or dark/bright spots in or around the eye could also be early indicators. In some cases, cancers that originate elsewhere in the body, such as the breast or lungs, can metastasize to the eyes, sometimes showing up as visible spots.
Retinoblastoma, a rare cancer that typically affects children, appears as a white reflection or white spot in the eye on scans or in photos. While serious, it has a high survival rate, around 96%.
How Diabetes Shows Up in Your Eyes
Diabetes is another major condition that can be detected during a routine eye exam, often before patients even know they have it. A study found that roughly 20% of Americans were diagnosed with diabetes through eye exams alone.
The condition damages blood vessels in the retina due to elevated blood sugar, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults. Signs include blood vessel leakage in the eye or tiny hemorrhages that may be visible during an exam.
High blood pressure and high cholesterol can also cause changes in eye blood vessels, such as narrowing, weakening, or even ruptures, potential red flags for cardiovascular issues.
Why Regular Eye Exams Matter
Both Dr. Dasgupta and Dr. Bowen stress the importance of scheduling annual eye exams, not just for vision, but for overall health. “Your eyes are the only place in the body where we can directly see blood vessels and nerves without cutting you open,” said Dr. Dasgupta.
In short, your next trip to the optometrist might be more revealing than you think!
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