Your Eyes: The Window to Your Heart
October 21, 2021
Research shows that a regular comprehensive eye exam can identify vascular diseases, often before the patient knows there is an abnormality. An astute eye care provider can find signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other vascular abnormalities. In fact, one study found that a dilated routine eye exam can detect risk factors for heart disease long before any other health professional had noted the condition.
The Link Between Blood Vessels and Your Eyes
Blood vessels play a significant role in your vision by bringing oxygen to the retina. Eye doctors get a unique look into what may be happening in other parts of your body when they look at your ocular blood vessels. If you are suffering from high blood pressure, your vessels might exhibit changes in the veins or leakage of blood and other contents into the retina. Swelling of the optic nerve can occur in addition to the aforementioned changes in late-stage hypertension.
“When patients develop occlusive disease of the main blood carrying vessels (carotid arteries), small or microscopic pieces may break off and ultimately occlude an ocular blood vessel. This temporary or permanent obstruction of a blood vessel can cause a transient visual field deficit or irreversible loss of vision. Symptomatic patients with or without ocular evidence of an occlusion are often sent to a cardiologist or vascular physician to determine their underlying vascular status. At times a practitioner may observe a physical obstruction of a blood vessel, which may cause stroke symptoms if not treated appropriately,” states Dr. Thurschwell.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Heart Disease Through the Eyes?
A dilated eye exam is the only non-invasive means by which a physician can view your blood vessels. Eye doctors have many instruments that permit a thorough evaluation of the blood vessels of the retina and optic nerve.
Often called “the silent killer”, high blood pressure may have no symptoms in its initial stages. One in five people with high blood pressure are not even aware that they have it. That is why untreated hypertension has been explained to patients as a “ticking bomb” to their health, often first declaring itself with a catastrophic heart attack or stroke. Therefore, we encourage routine eye exams not only to prevent or treat visual problems, but also to monitor other parts of the body such as your heart.
More About Ocular Disease Specialist Leonard Thurschwell, O.D.
Dr. Thurschwell is a primary care optometrist with Marietta Eye Clinic who also provides ocular surgery co-management. He earned his Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He is a member of the American Academy of Optometry, the Georgia Optometric Association, and the American Optometric Association. He has had his research published in the Southern Journal of Optometry and the Journal of the American Optometric Association. Read more about him in his bio.
References and Additional Resources
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. It describes itself as a “global community of 32,000 medical doctors who protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public.” Its website is a great resource to learn more about how to care for your eyes.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) describes itself as the leading authority on quality care and an advocate for our nation’s health, representing more than 44,000 Doctors of Optometry, optometric professionals, and optometry students.
Schaneman J, et al. The role of comprehensive eye exams in the early detection of diabetes and other chronic diseases in an employed population. Popul Health Manag. 2010 Aug;13(4):195-9.
https://www.anthem.com/blog/living-healthy/eye-exams-and-heart-health/
https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2021/eye-exam-health.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210302150027.htm
https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/heart-eye-seeing-links
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326962
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/your-eyes-a-window-to-your-health/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-018-0195-0.epdf?
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/12/13/the-eyes-have-it-for-high-blood-pressure-clues
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When it comes to your eyes, nothing beats a face-to-face consultation with one of our eye doctors. Request an appointment to meet with one of our specialists.