William Shakespeare wrote, “The eyes are the windows to your soul.” It can also be said that the eyes are the windows to your overall health. By examining your eyes, and the condition of blood vessels in your eyes, ophthalmologists — medical doctors who specialize in the care of complex eye disorders — can detect the early signs of dozens of serious medical conditions unrelated to vision.

Your eyes show early indications of several serious health issues:

    Aneurysm
    During an eye exam, your ophthalmologist can detect whether there is increased pressure in the brain. This may include swelling of the optic nerve, even bleeding into the eye’s retina. Either symptom will warn the doctor that you may have an aneurysm. If that’s the case, your ophthalmologist will most likely recommend you make an appointment with your primary care provider or a specialist.

    Stroke
    If your eye care provider detects a blood vessel blockage behind your eye, or if you are experiencing sudden blind spots, it may be a warning sign that you’re at an increased risk of stroke. Statistically, this is particularly true for seniors. About 75 percent of strokes take place in those 65 years or older.

Once you reach sixty-five, the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests you get an exam every one or two years.

    Brain tumor
    Changes in vision, blurred or double vision, loss of side vision and abnormal eye movements may be signs that you have a brain tumor. During a routine eye exam, your doctor will be able to tell if you have increased pressure in your brain and swelling of the optic nerve — both indications of a brain tumor.

    Cancers of the blood, tissue or skin
    Several different types of cancer can be detected during a routine eye examination. Lymphoma and leukemia, for example, can affect some interior areas of the eye and skin cancer may appear on the eyelids or other outer areas of the eye. What’s more, tumors in the breast and other areas of the body can spread to ocular structures including the retina and optic nerve.

    Cardiovascular disease
    According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) around 20.1 million people aged twenty and over have coronary heart disease. Those with high cholesterol can be at a higher risk for heart disease or stroke. That’s where your eye doctor comes in. During a routine eye exam, your ophthalmologist can spot little lumps of cholesterol running through your blood vessels. If your eye doctor detects this condition, they will recommend further testing with your healthcare provider or a specialist.

Other conditions that can be detected during a routine eye exam include diabetes, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases, sexually transmitted diseases — even Alzheimer’s.

“The best care is preventive care. It’s like getting your teeth examined every year. You want to see if something is brewing,” Nicole Majic, an ophthalmologist at the Cleveland Clinic and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recommends.

By examining your eyes and the condition of blood vessels in your eyes, ophthalmologists can detect the early signs of dozens of serious medical conditions unrelated to vision.

Of course, taking care of your eyesight means also taking care of your general health. Here’s what ophthalmologists suggest:

  • Get routine eye exams. Many eye diseases begin without symptoms, so you don’t want to skip an annual eye exam. Even if your vision seems fine, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends everyone get a comprehensive eye examination by age forty. Once you reach sixty-five, the AAO suggests you get an exam every one or two years.

    Worried that you can’t afford an eye exam? Seniors 65 or older may be eligible for an eye exam without any out-of-pocket cost through the AAO’s EyeCare America program which matches volunteer ophthalmologist with patients. Find out if you are eligible by visiting EyeCare America.

  • Eat a healthy diet. Studies show foods that are particularly rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein and omega-3 fatty acids are effective in lowering your risk of certain common eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration, as well as dry eye.
  • Make sure you keep moving. According to the American Heart Association (AHA) 30 minutes daily of exercise not only helps to protect your vision, but if you have an eye disease, it may also be helpful in managing it.
  • Know your family history around eye problems. Around one million Americans go blind every year. Knowing your family history can be beneficial because many causes of blindness are hereditary including macular degeneration and glaucoma. Make sure you share your family’s health history with your eye doctor.