Health Conditions That Can Affect Your Eyes

Your eyesight is perhaps the most important of all the senses. So, of course, you want to look after it. However, what many people fail to realize is that various other health conditions can affect your vision. From diabetes to hypertension and more, the following looks at some of the common health conditions that can cause your vision to degrade over the long, medium, and—in some cases—the short term.

The Link Between General Health and Eyesight

• The body is a dynamic unit

The body is a dynamic unit

Much as a car engine won’t function correctly if one part is failing, so the human body works in the same way. That’s why many medical conditions can also affect eye health.Some of the more common issues that can impact vision include:

• Diabetes: This is probably the big one that most people think of when considering a link between the disease and eye health. Anyone who suffers from either Type I or Type II diabetes must undergo regular eye checks to ensure a condition, known as diabetic retinopathy, is looked out for, diagnosed, and treated, if appropriate. Diabetics also have a higher risk of glaucoma and cataracts, so should undergo frequent monitoring for these.
• Hypertension: High blood pressure can also lead to increased pressure within the eye itself. Over time, this can cause damage to the blood vessels.
• Autoimmune conditions: There are many of these, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and thyroid issues. A lot of these can directly impact the eyes, beginning with dry eye, itching, and burning. If the problem is left untreated, then more serious issues can occur.
• Sickle Cell: A disease that affects the shape of the blood cells, sufferers can also experience damaged blood vessels within the eyes. Untreated, this could lead to vision loss.

Other health problems that might warrant regular eye checks include rosacea, shingles, measles, and Lyme disease. More recently, it’s also been recognized that COVID-19 infection has led some people to suffer from raised intra-eye pressure and vision reduction.

Steps that can be Taken to Improve Eyesight

• From regular checks to laser vision correction
• All about Lasik surgery

From regular checks to laser vision correction

Ensuring you undergo regular checks is by far the most important step to take. For some people, vision degradation might be able to be treated with laser vision correction, such as Lasik. If this is a possibility, then you’ll be advised by your ophthalmologist.

All about Lasik surgery

Lasik is an advanced form of laser eye surgery that can be performed for shortsightedness and, in some cases, astigmatism, and longsightedness. The procedure takes minutes, with many people experiencing vision improvements straight away.Advances in Lasik over the past few years mean that many people who were previously told they were unsuitable can now be treated. Not only is the success rate extremely high, but many also find they achieve vision improvement as good as 20/40 or even 20/20. The best way to find out if you’re a suitable Lasik candidate is via an appointment with a laser vision specialist. This is especially relevant if you suffer from a long-term health condition as your requirements are likely to be more unique than those without such issues.

Contact the WBEC for the Ultimate Eye Care & Lasik Surgery

No matter what your health, it’s essential to give your eyesight the TLC it deserves. Whether you’re in rude health and simply need your annual or bi-annual checkups or you suffer from a condition that needs specialist treatment, the West Boca Eye Center offers clinical excellence of the highest caliber.From diabetic eye care to glaucoma, emergency eye treatment to Lasik surgery, at the WBEC you can rest assured that you’re in the most experienced of hands. Visit https://westbocaeyecenter.com to find out more.