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Diseases That Can Be Detected During an Eye Exam

Tuesday, February 17th, 2015, 9:00 am

Doctor Checking Patient's EyesYou’ve probably heard the saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul.” Did you know that your eyes are also a window into your general health? More than 30 conditions can show symptoms in the eyes!

This is one of the reasons it is so important to schedule regular eye exams. An eye exam can reveal valuable information about your well-being and provide warning of possible threats to your health.

Here, Dr. Nicholas Skouras lists several diseases that can be detected during an eye exam.

Diabetes

Diabetes affects the small capillaries of the retina, which can leak blood or yellow fluid. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States.

High Cholesterol

High cholesterol levels can cause white or yellow rings around the eyes, or yellowish bumps on the eyelids.

Advanced Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can manifest through blurry vision or problems with the blood vessels of the eye (e.g., bends, kinks or tears). In serious cases, hypertension can also cause retinal detachment.

Cancer

Changes to the structure of the eyes, unusual growths and lesions could possibly indicate cancer.

Arthritis

A painful inflammation of the eye (called iritis) may signal arthritis.

Jaundice

A yellowish tint in whites of the eyes may be an indication of liver disease.

Allergies

Red, itchy, swollen eyes often indicate that a person has allergies (triggered by pollen, pet dander or dust).

Thyroid Disease

A telltale sign of thyroid disease, or Grave’s disease, is bulging of the eyes.

Autoimmune Disease

Certain autoimmune diseases, like Sjögren’s syndrome, cause dry eyes. Lupus may cause inflammation of the eye.

Tumors

A droopy eyelid or an irregularly shaped pupil may be indicative of a neck tumor or aneurism.

Schedule Your Eye Exam with Dr. Skouras

Though the aforementioned diseases are quite serious, this list is not meant to alarm you. Not every irregularity will indicate disease. However, it’s still smart to schedule regular eye exams anyway. Better safe than sorry!

Dr. Skouras recommends exams every three to five years for those under 40 without any symptoms, and more frequent exams for those over 40 and those with risk factors (e.g., previous eye disease/surgery).

To book an appointment with Dr. Skouras, please contact Skouras Eye & Cosmetic Centre today at (416) 590-0445.

 

About Dr Skouras

Dr. Skouras has been practising ophthalmology and Lasik in Toronto for 20 years. He completed his medical and ophthalmology training at the University of Toronto. For over a decade, Dr. Skouras has made refractive surgery a focus of his general ophthalmology practice and has worked with many of the lasers widely used today. Dr. Skouras emphasizes on providing only the best patient care and believes in using only the latest most advanced technology available to optimize his patients’ results.


Category: General Eye Care

Why Choose Skouras Eye & Cosmetic Centre for your Lasik Surgery?

As one of the leading comprehensive eye care facilities in Toronto, it’s easy to see why so many people choose Skouras Eye & Cosmetic Centre for their eye care and cosmetic treatment. Skouras Eye & Cosmetics offers a comprehensive selection of eye care services, from LASIK laser vision correction surgery to the treatment of complex eye conditions such as glaucoma and keratoconus. Our eyecare services extend to complete dry eye management, and contact lens dispensing. Moreover, we offer a number of cosmetic facial treatments, including Botox, Dermal Fillers, Latisse and Thermage.

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