Illnesses which an Eye check-up can reveal

There are many reasons which testify eye test as a life saver. It is not just for the obvious reasons such as to determine what prescription one needs, but also because an eye check can potentially save a life. In fact, many lives could be saved annually if more people just attended regular, routine eye check-up.

Here are 4 illnesses which can an eye test can detect.

Diabetes:

An estimated 73 Million people in India have diabetes, but many aren't aware of it. Unmanaged, it can eventually cause blindness, cause to lose a limb, or in most severe cases, it can prove fatal.

It's easy to miss the silent symptoms of diabetes; however, a small amount of bleeding on the retina can be detected in an eye exam. When the blood vessels in the central area of the retina (the macula) are affected, this is termed ‘diabetic maculopathy.' And it is one of the most common causes of sight loss.

Brain tumours: 

Detecting a tumour in the brain at an early stage is very crucial because it is a matter of life and death. According to the WHO Report, 28142 new cases of brain tumours are reported annually in India, and there are 24003 deaths caused due to the brain tumour.

An optometrist can check for blurred vision and observe unusual pupil dilation as well as the colour of the optic nerve. A Visual Fields diagnostic test can assist in the diagnosis, and it is widely available within optometry practices. If anything looks out of the ordinary, the patient will be immediately be referred to a neurologist.

Heart disease:

Cardiovascular disease kills 13 people every three minutes worldwide. This disease can be detected early through an eye-test too. During the eye-test, if the optometrist spots a white ring around the cornea, he/she will suggest a test for high blood cholesterol.

Multiple Sclerosis:

An average life expectancy for people living with Multiple Sclerosis is around five to ten years. It causes swelling of the optic nerve, which creates a specific visual field defect called a ‘scotoma'. This is straight-forward to pick up during a routine eye examination.

There are many illnesses which show very little or no symptoms. Yet, these illnesses can be detected through a routine eye test. If spotted early, a diagnosis of one of these terminal illnesses can prove life-saving. It is recommendable to undergo an eye test every quarter to check the health of the eyes. Whether one uses prescription glasses or contact lenses.