Many diseases can affect the eye. ??Sometimes, undetected health problems (problems not previously detected or known to the patient) can be seen or show up during a comprehensive (dilated) eye exam.
A frequent example is the disease of Diabetes which can show up in detectable eye problems found during a regular eye exam. ?Early detection of this deadly disease is helpful in treating or preventing the vision damage Diabetes can cause.
Numerous other diseases can sometimes be detected through a comprehensive (dilated) eye exam. ?These include:
- Sickle Cell Disease
- Sarcoidosis ?Disease
- Hardening of the Arteries
- High Blood Pressure
- Lupus
- Thyroid Disease
- Metastatic and other primary Cancers
- Kidney Disease
- Brain Tumors
- Leukemia
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is important to understand that some of these diseases might not outwardly show signs or symptoms in early stages, yet may have begun to show changes in the eyes (some without affecting vision). ?Regular, periodic eye exams, particularly with dilation, can sometimes result in the early detection of diseases or other health problems a patient might not have known about or realized.
A good, thorough eye exam is important and should be done more frequently as you age.