Eye Examine can detect many diseases

Dr Abhishek Mehra

Eye is not only reflector to the soul but it also act as window to catch the health status of our body. By scrutinizing deep inside the eye, doctors can actually examine nerves and blood vessels without operating us.

An eye exam can help us to know more than just signs of avoidable blindness. It can help us to notice Cancer, Brain tumor, Diabetes, High Blood pressure and Multiple Sclerosis in
early stages.

1.Brain Tumor
If swelled optic disc is detected in an eye check up, then it indicates that there might be a brain tumor. A tumor in the brain triggers a rise in the intracranial pressure which causes optic disk to swell. Often much earlier than other symptoms of brain tumor such as headaches and nausea, a swollen optic disc can be detected during eye examination. Probably, this is the reason why optometrists first detect significant number of brain tumor.

2.Diabetes
A small amount of bleeding in retina is one of the first indications of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a serious disease that affects multiple parts of the body and makes the health conditions further more complicated. Diabetes is a leading cause of avoidable blindness and can also damage the blood vessels in retina.

3.Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis or MS is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, resulting in loss of muscle control, vision, balance, and sensation (such as numbness). The damaged nerve cell disrupts the nervous system ability to communicate with other body parts. Inflammation in optic nerve is often an early signal of MS and can be detected through eye examine. Few other neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s can also be identified during eye exams.

4.Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
If the blood vessels are narrowing and an arterial damage has occurred then it is strong indication of high blood pressure. Hypertension causes strain on the heart and is major factor for kidney disease and stroke if left untreated.

5.Cancer
The presence of leukemia (blood cancer) is indicated by certain forms of blood in the eye. The other form of cancer like breast, lungs etc can also be detected through eye examine if they have spread to the eyes. Hence, an eye exam can help you to detect multiple kind of cancer.

It is always suggested to visit your ophthalmologist regularly, at least once a year to remain protected from avoidable blindness and other serious disease such as cancer, diabetes, neurological disease etc. An eye examine can be life saving in many cases.

-Dr Abhishek Mehra, Eye specialist,
CG Eye hospital