5 unexpected health problems an eye test can detect

Diabetes

A person who has diabetes is not able to maintain healthy levels of glucose (the main source of energy for our bodies) in their blood. As glucose levels fluctuate between high and low, the sugar content in the blood can damage blood vessels, including those in the retina (the thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye which sends signals to the brain via the optic nerve), causing them to rupture and bleed – a result which can be seen by the optometrist through their equipment.

Diabetes can also cause problems with vision, so sometimes a patient may see an optometrist because they have blurry or double vision and believe they need glasses. Instead, this may be a symptom of diabetes.

High Blood Pressure

The eye is the only organ within the body that veins and arteries can be seen without having to undergo invasive surgery.

Sam says, “With our equipment we can see the veins and arteries and check if there’s any sort of hardening which is associated with high blood pressure.”

High Cholesterol

Similar to high blood pressure, high cholesterol can be detected by looking at the veins and arteries in your eye. If cholesterol plaques are becoming lodged within the blood vessel, they can cause a blockage which can lead to heart disease or a stroke. “But if we detect it early,” Sam says, “we can let your GP know and they can modify the issue with cholesterol medication to reduce the risk of further blockages.”

Arthritis

Arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes inflammation all around the body, including in the eye.

There are different types of arthritis, some forms can increase the pressure of the fluid in your eye, leading to nerve damage.

Some patients are unaware of any arthritis symptoms until after their eye exam.

Tumours

Tumours can form in all parts of the body, including your eyes, without you being aware of them.

“It’s not until we look at the back of the eye, or behind the eye on the visual pathway which connects the eyes to the brain, that we might see a tumour,” Sam says.

A tumour is simply a group of abnormal cells that don’t die, as our normal cells do. This means that the tumour continues to grow and more and more cells join the mass. Not all tumours are cancerous, but you should always seek treatment and advice from your GP.

Alzheimer’s: early detection is next

Research suggests the retina is thinner in people with Alzheimer’s disease, reflecting the cell loss that is a hallmark of the neurodegenerative disease¹.

Treatments and interventions for Alzheimer’s are most effective when administered during the early stages². Detection by a non-invasive scan at an annual eye test could change the way many people go on to manage their later years with the disease.

The specific retinal imaging type required (hyperspectral retinal imaging combined with optical coherence tomography) is not yet commercially available, but could be in the not so distant future as further research is undertaken.

Testing, testing

How often you should have your eyes tested depends on your age and circumstances:

• School-aged children and adults are recommended to have an eye test every two years.
• People aged 65 and over are eligible for a yearly bulk-billed eye examination.
• If you have a progressing or new condition your optometrist may recommend eye tests more often.

If you’re ready for your next eye test, book your bulk-billed examination at Health Partners Optical today.*

Last reviewed July 2024

¹Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry (2020), Retinal imaging in Alzheimer’s disease. https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/92/9/983

²The Conversation (2022), A window to the brain: the retina gives away signs of Alzheimer’s disease and could help with early detection. https://theconversation.com/a-window-to-the-brain-the-retina-gives-away-signs-of-alzheimers-disease-and-could-help-with-early-detection

*Eye tests are bulk-billed through Medicare and subject to eligibility and Medicare conditions.