Getting your eyes examined can reveal ocular disorders such as cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. When eye diseases are diagnosed and treated early on, complications such as permanent vision may be less likely to occur. In addition to eye diseases, eye exams in Colorado Springs, CO, may reveal signs of the following systemic diseases.
Liver Disease
Symptoms of liver disease may include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, abdominal swelling, and fatigue. In addition, it can cause jaundice, or yellowing of the skin. Jaundice can also cause yellowing of the whites of your eyes and mucus membranes.
If your eye exams in Colorado Springs, CO, reveal the presence of jaundice, your eye doctor may refer you back to your primary care physician for additional testing and treatment.
Anemia
Another systemic illness your eye doctor may detect during your eye examination is anemia. This blood condition is the result of a low hemoglobin level, and in addition to causing fatigue and weakness, anemia can cause pallor of the lower eyelid.
Typically, when you pull the lower eyelid down, the lining should look red. If anemia is present, the skin that lines your lower inner eyelid may appear very light pink or even yellow. If your eye doctor suspects anemia, you will be referred back to your primary care doctor for a simple blood test called a complete blood count, also known as a CBC.
