Eyes are the window to your health

Can you see the letters on the chart?Which is better, 1 or 2?Do you need glasses?

Most people think that’s the extent of an eye exam. But in truth, your optometrist can detect signs of up to 270 different health conditions, many of them long before symptoms show up anywhere else.

Surprised? You’re not alone.

A comprehensive eye exam offers more than a snapshot of your vision. It provides a window into your entire body. That’s because the eye is the only place where blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues can be directly observed without surgery. Through this unique vantage point, optometrists are trained to detect early signs of systemic disease and chronic conditions that affect your quality of life.

Eye Exam

What Can Your Optometrist See?

Here’s just a glimpse into the powerful diagnostic potential of your next eye exam, organized by body system to show how your vision connects to your overall health:

Neurological Conditions

• Brain tumors: May cause swelling of the optic nerve

• Multiple sclerosis: Often detected via optic neuritis

• Stroke: Can result in visual field changes or sudden vision loss

• Aneurysms: May press on optic pathways and affect sight

• Myasthenia gravis: Can cause drooping eyelids or eye movement issues

Cardiovascular Diseases

• Hypertension (high blood pressure): Causes changes in retinal blood vessels, including hemorrhages or narrowing

• Atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup can appear as vessel changes in the retina

• Carotid artery disease: May lead to emboli visible in the eye

• High cholesterol: Can appear as fatty deposits or plaques

Diabetes & Endocrine Disorders

• Diabetic retinopathy: One of the earliest signs of undiagnosed diabetes

• Thyroid eye disease: Characterized by bulging eyes and lid retraction

• Pituitary tumors: Can impact peripheral vision by pressing on the optic chiasm

Eye-Specific and Vision Conditions

• Glaucoma: Progressive optic nerve damage, often asymptomatic early on

• Macular degeneration: Loss of central vision, especially in older adults

• Retinal tears or detachment: Can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated

• Dry eye disease: Common but often overlooked

• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye’s lens, typically age-related

• Keratoconus: Thinning and bulging of the cornea

• Uveitis: Inflammation inside the eye, often linked to systemic conditions

• Retinitis pigmentosa: A rare inherited condition causing vision loss

Genetic & Developmental Disorders

• Marfan syndrome: Can lead to dislocated lenses or retinal issues

• Down syndrome: Associated with strabismus and high refractive error

• Neurofibromatosis: May present as optic nerve tumors

Sexually Transmitted Infections

• Chlamydia: Can cause conjunctivitis, especially in younger adults

• Gonorrhea: May present as a severe, rapidly progressing conjunctivitis

• Syphilis: Can show as inflammatory uveitis, keratitis, or madarosis (loss of eyelashes)

Autoimmune & Inflammatory Diseases

• Lupus: Can cause retinal inflammation and vascular changes

• Sarcoidosis:  May trigger uveitis or optic nerve involvement

• Rheumatoid arthritis: Can lead to dry eye, scleritis, or inflammation in the eye

Mental & Cognitive Health Indicators

• Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease: May show up as subtle changes in eye movement or tracking

• Medication or drug side effects: Can alter pupil responses or vision clarity

Why This Matters

The figure “270” represents the broad range of systemic and ocular conditions that optometrists are trained to detect and monitor, from life-threatening illnesses to chronic diseases, neurological conditions, and rare genetic disorders.

This level of insight is made possible through a combination of tools: high-resolution imaging, visual field testing, and careful examination of the retina, cornea, and optic nerve. Combined with your medical history, an eye exam becomes a powerful health check.

An optometrist’s ability to detect these conditions, and hundreds more, reinforces their essential role in public health. Eye exams aren’t just about vision correction; they are preventive, proactive, and potentially life-changing.

When your eyes are thoroughly examined, you’re not just protecting how well you see, you’re protecting how well you live.

Eye Exams Are Not Just for Glasses

In a recent OAO survey, the public overwhelmingly agreed that they value access to eye care and believe optometrists play an important role in the health system. Yet many still view eye exams as optional and may delay them until vision problems arise.

The truth is, an eye exam could be your first warning sign that something bigger is going on, even if your vision feels fine.

When Should You Book an Eye Exam?

If it’s been a while since your last exam, now is a great time to check in with your optometrist. General recommendations include:

• Children: Annually to support learning, development, and screen use

• Adults under 65: Every two years or earlier if you develop symptoms or your optometrist recommends it based on family history or clinical findings

• Seniors: Every 12 to 18 months, depending on your health, vision needs, family history and optometrist’s recommendation
  

OHIP coverage for a comprehensive eye exam for seniors in Ontario now occurs once every 12 months (if you have an eligible medical condition) to 18 months.

However, clinical need may warrant more frequent eye exams, and your optometrist can guide you based on your specific health status.

Ready to Book an Eye Exam?

Your next eye exam could uncover far more than you think, and it may be the first step in catching something early, when it’s most treatable.

Your eyes are trying to tell you something. Let your optometrist help you see the full picture.