It is a good idea to see an eye doctor and have an eye exam at least once a year. This will help patients stay up to date on the condition of their eyes, find out if there are any changes in their vision, and also know if or when they need to get glasses or contact lenses. However, getting an eye exam may also indicate there are other health issues that need to be checked out by a medical doctor. These are some of the other health conditions that may be detected during an eye exam.

Diabetes

One of the most common health conditions that can be detected during an eye exam is diabetes. Diabetes causes small blood vessels in the retina to leak blood or fluid. This is normally visible during an eye exam and the eye doctor may advise patients to see a family physician for further treatment.

High Blood Pressure

An eye exam may also detect that the patient has high blood pressure. If the blood vessels in the eyes have bends, tears, or kinks in them, this may indicate the patient suffers from high blood pressure.

High Cholesterol

Eye exams often detect if a patient has high cholesterol as well. If the cornea is yellow in color or has a yellow ring around it, this is a sign the patient has high cholesterol. If there is plaque visible in the blood vessels in the eyes, this is also an indication of high cholesterol.

Cancer

If the structure of the eye appears to be abnormal during an eye exam, this may indicate the patient has a cancer known as ocular melanoma. This type of cancer develops in the cells that make the pigmentation of the eye. Eye exams may also detect if a patient has a certain kind of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma can develop on the eyelid and is visible during an eye exam.

If a patient knows they are diabetic, the eye doctor will most likely perform a diabetic eye exam. This involves a test that checks to see if diabetes has caused glaucoma to develop in the eyes. This test is done by using a machine to blow puffs of air into the patient's eyes. This measures the amount of eye pressure that is used to resist the puff of air. If the eye pressure is high, it may be a sign the patient has glaucoma.

For more information, contact a clinic like Leader Heights Eye Center.