Our eyes may be the windows to our soul, but they are also the windows to our overall health. Eye exams not only help detect vision problems, but they can also reveal underlying health conditions that can affect other parts of the body.

Here are some ways that your eyes could be revealing important health information.

1. High blood pressure

High blood pressure can cause changes in your retina’s blood vessels, resulting in a condition called hypertensive retinopathy. This condition can cause damage to the retina leading to vision loss.

Optometrists can detect this condition during an eye exam which can help diagnose if a patient has high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure affects nearly half of adults in the United States.

2. Thyroid problems

An overactive or underactive thyroid can also be detected through eye exams. Changes in the appearance of the eyes such as bulging eyes or retracted eyelids may indicate thyroid problems. This condition is called Graves’ disease.

According to the American Thyroid Association, over 20 million Americans have thyroid disease.

3. Diabetes

Diabetes is a common health condition that can lead to a variety of vision problems. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition where high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina, which can lead to blindness.

An eye doctor can diagnose diabetic retinopathy during a dilated eye exam. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 34 million Americans have diabetes.

4. Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. This condition can cause vision problems such as blurred or double vision. An ophthalmologist can detect this condition during an eye exam.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, over 2.3 million people worldwide have multiple sclerosis.

5. High Cholesterol

An eye exam can detect high cholesterol through yellowish, fatty deposits that can appear on the eyelids or around the cornea. This condition is called xanthelasma and can be a sign of high cholesterol levels in the body.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 95 million American adults have high cholesterol levels.

6. Brain Tumors

Brain tumors can cause vision problems such as blurry vision, changes in peripheral vision or double vision. Optometrists can detect these changes during a comprehensive eye exam which can be an indication of an underlying brain tumor.

According to the American Brain Tumor Association, over 87,000 new cases of primary brain tumors are diagnosed each year in the United States.

7. Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis can have an impact on the eyes. Symptoms such as dry eye, redness, swelling and light sensitivity can be a sign of an underlying autoimmune condition.

An eye doctor can assist in diagnosing these conditions during an eye exam.

8. Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disease that affects movement. This condition can also affect vision, causing symptoms such as reduced blinking, decreased or blurred vision and difficulty in focusing.

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, over one million people are living with Parkinson’s disease in the United States alone.

9. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause eye infections. This type of eye infection can cause symptoms such as discharge, redness, and swelling. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 2.86 million new STI infections each year.

10. Cancer

Cancer can also affect the eyes. Eye cancer can cause symptoms such as blurry vision, floaters and flashers, and changes in the appearance of the eye. Early detection of eye cancer during an eye exam can help in early treatment.

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 27,000 new cases of eye cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States.

There are many underlying health conditions that can be detected during an eye exam. These conditions affect not only your eyes but also your overall health.

Scheduling regular eye exams can help detect these conditions early for better treatment options to improve your overall health.