Most people only visit the optometrist in Wichita KS if they are having a problem with their vision. This is a bad idea. There are several conditions that can be detected during an eye exam before they show symptoms that the primary care physician can pick up on.
Diabetes
Over 29 million people in the U.S. have diabetes and there are over 8 million cases that go undiagnosed. During a routine eye exam, the optometrist will notice blood vessel patterns in the eye and vascular changes that indicate diabetes.
High Blood Pressure
When the optometrist looks at the back of the eye, they may notice that the veins and arteries are abnormal. This often means that the individual has high blood pressure. The sooner the issue is caught and treated, the less chance there is of developing heart disease.
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a serious condition, and it can appear in places other than the skin. It is possible for skin cancer to start inside the eyes. If the Optometrist in Wichita KS notices a dark spot in the eye or a speck, they may send the patient to see a specialist. If it is caught early, the cancer is very treatable.
Brain Pressure
If a person has increased pressure in their brain, it can be seen through the eyes. If the optometrist notices a curve in the optic nerve that is buckling under the pressure, they can refer the patient to a neurologist. This is something that could essentially save the patient’s life.
Aneurysm
If a patient has a brain aneurysm, it can be caught during an eye exam. If they complain of headaches, blurred vision, or pain in the eye, the optometrist will do additional testing. If the patient’s optic nerve is swollen or if they have bleeding or pressure in the eye, the optometrist would refer them to a neurologist. The sooner the aneurysm is caught, the better.
An optometrist can do much more than just check a person’s vision and prescribe glasses or contact lenses. There are several diseases that can be seen through the eyes before they can be seen by a medical doctor. For more information, Click here.
