The link between eye exams and health conditions

Did you know that the eye is the only place on the body with an unobstructed view of blood vessels?
More than a fun fact, it can be critical to your health. With regular comprehensive eye exams, eye doctors can detect the early, and often subtle, signs of several high-risk health conditions.

Eye exams spot the signs
With a clear view of your eye, eye doctors can search for early signs of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or serious eye diseases. Telltale hints of these diseases can be subtle early on, and early detection improves chances of a positive outcome.

Opticians have detected:

65% of patients with high cholesterol

30% with Hypertension

20% with Diabetes

Yet 2 out of 3 people don’t know that an eye doctor can detect these chronic health conditions. That’s why it’s important to promote eye exams as a tool for preventing and managing health issues.

Early detection changes outcomes
We’ve some good news – early detection improves the chances of a positive outcome, even with chronic conditions. If a chronic condition is found, eye doctors can refer patients to medical specialists, continue tracking and treating any eye-related issues, and in some cases, perform necessary eye surgery. And by understanding their condition, employees can seek treatment earlier and possibly improve their lives and their medical costs.

84% of people said they would be more likely to make an eye appointment if they knew of the connection between eye health and early detection.

 

In order to detect any underlying, chronic health conditions, it’s important to know the difference between an eye exam and a vision screening.

What is an eye exam?

A comprehensive eye exam is performed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist with the equipment and training to identify and diagnose potential health problems or diseases. It’s the only way to ensure that any vision problems and other potential health issues may be detected.

How is an eye exam different from a vision screening?

A vision screening is like what employees might get at the DMV or health fair, or children might get at school. A screening is a simple test for acuity, distance vision and possibly eye coordination. But it can’t diagnose what’s going on and can be unreliable. Most of all, a screening can’t be relied on to detect health issues.

As preventive care, an annual eye exam is just as important as a physical or dental checkup. And sometimes it’s the only way to uncover serious diseases that may not show any early symptoms. That’s why we encourage everyone to get annual exams and why we strive to remove any obstacles getting in the way.