Eyes are the window to more than just your soul according to a recent, very interesting article featured on Healthgrades.com.

8 diseases are listed which all can affect your eyes and vision.  In fact, some of these symptoms have ophthalmologists becoming the first in the line of diagnosis determiners of major diseases.

And guess what?  You are not in the clear if you are “young”.  There are a myriad of diseases that affect people of ALL ages listed here and your eyes may be a quick determinant of what it may be.

Here is a quick run-down but please check out the actual article to read the full explanation on all!

1. Diabetes
   • High and low blood sugar swings can cause temporary vision changes.
   • Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in the US.
   • Diabetics are more at risk to develop both cataracts and glaucoma.
2. High Blood Pressure
   • It affects your retina and causes hypertensive retinopathy.
   • The more it stays high and untreated, the worse your vision will be affected.
3. Autoimmune Diseases
   • Symptoms: dry, red, itch, light sensitive, pain, vision changes/loss
   • One of the first signs of an autoimmune disease
4. Rosacea (causes ocular rosacea)
   • Symptoms: redness, dryness, itching, burning, tearing, gritty feeling in eye
   • Also swollen lids and light sensitivity
   • Can be treated when caught early but can lead to vision loss if severe
5. Infectious Diseases
   • Shingles (blisters, swelling, redness on eye or eyelid)
   • Measles
   • Lyme Disease
6. Liver disease
   • Makes eyes appear yellow (as well as your skin ) and can cause dryness & itchiness
   • Also Xanthelasma – small fat collections on eyelids
7. Nutritional Deficiencies
   • Vitamin A deficiency = cause of blindness (may start as night blindness or not seeing in the dark) that can also cause dry eyes or corneal ulcers
   • Lack of Vitamin C, E, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids and zinc can all affect your chances of getting cataracts and age-related macular degeneration
8. Sickle Cell Disease
   • Vision loss or blindness may happen with Sickle Cell
   • Caused by damage to the retina
   • Laser treatment may be an option (SCD patients should see an ophthalmologist 1x a year)

Eye health is something we preach every single day, but it really puts things in perspective to our patients when we explain that in one eye exam, we can tell a lot of things.

So keep an eye on your eyes and come see us regularly!  Call us today at 305-598-2020 and schedule an eye exam today!