An eye exam is much more than simply a glasses or contact lens prescription.

The eyes are one of the most important organs in our body and they play a crucial role in our daily lives. They not only help us see but also give us an insight into the overall health of our body. Just like any other organ, the eyes too can develop various health problems, some of which may be minor while others can be serious. In this article, we will discuss 10 health problems that your eyes could be showing signs of.

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Did you know that your eyes can give clues to your overall health? Here are 10 health problems that your eyes could be showing signs of.

1. Nutrition Deficiency: Poor nutrition can cause a variety of problems including dry, irritated eyes and blurry vision. Ask your eye doctor if dietary changes or supplements such as Omega 3 will help.

2. Allergies: Don’t suffer from red, itchy, watery eyes caused by allergies. Your eye doctor can prescribe treatments to keep your eyes comfortable year-round.

3. Color Vision Changes: Do colors look faded? Changes in your color vision may be a sign of early cataracts or other eye health problems, sometimes from medications.

4. Liver Problems: Yellow eyes could be a sign of liver problems. See your eye doctor and the general physician to make sure your eyes are healthy and your liver is functioning normally.

5. Autoimmune Disease: autoimmune disease is when your body’s defense mechanism against disease-causing microbes starts attacking normal, healthy cells. Dry eyes and dry mouth can be the warning signs of an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s syndrome, which damages glands that produce tears and saliva.

6. Cancer: Your eye doctor can check for sun damage that can cause cancer of the eyelids and front of the eye. Remember to wear shades outdoors in daylight to shield your eyes from UV.

7. Dementia: An amyloid protein that builds up in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease may appear in the retina as an early marker of the condition. Detection requires a special test called SD-OCT.

8. Diabetes: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause serious vision problems and even blindness. Routine dilated eye exams are essential for monitoring the disease.

9. High Blood Pressure: Early signs of damage from high blood pressure can be detected in a routine eye exam so potentially life-saving treatment can be initiated and adjusted as needed.

10. Stroke: During a dilated eye exam, your eye doctor can examine the health of blood vessels in the retina and detect signs of increased risk of carotid artery disease and stroke.

In addition to systemic health problems in the graphic above, here are 10 bonus problems frequently found in annual eye exams:

1. Dry Eye Syndrome: This is a common condition that occurs when the tear glands don't produce enough tears to keep the eyes lubricated. This can cause symptoms such as burning, itching, and a feeling of dryness in the eyes.

2. Cataracts: Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's lens that can cause vision problems. Symptoms include blurred vision, double vision, and sensitivity to light.

3. Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause damage to the optic nerve and result in vision loss. Symptoms include headaches, eye pain, and halos around lights.

4. Macular Degeneration: This is a condition that affects the central part of the retina and can cause vision loss. Symptoms include blurred or distorted central vision, difficulty reading, and sensitivity to light.

5. Diabetic Retinopathy: This is a condition that affects people with diabetes and can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Symptoms include blurred vision, floaters, and difficulty seeing at night.

6. Conjunctivitis: Also known as "pink eye," this is an inflammation of the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye. Symptoms include redness, itching, and a discharge from the eye.

7. Styes: A stye is a painful bump that forms on the eyelid and can be caused by an infection or an obstructed oil gland. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and pain.

8. Optic Neuritis: This is an inflammation of the optic nerve that can cause temporary vision loss or visual changes. Symptoms include pain with eye movement, vision loss, and color blindness.

9. Retinal Detachment: This is a condition where the retina separates from the back of the eye and can cause vision loss. Symptoms include a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, and a "curtain-like" vision loss.

10. Uveitis: This is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye and can cause pain, redness, and vision changes.

Regular eye exams can help detect these conditions early and prevent vision loss.

It is important to pay attention to any changes in your vision or eye health and to seek prompt medical attention if you experience any symptoms. Keep your eyes healthy by eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays.

If you or a loved one has not received an exam within the last year, we urge you to schedule an appointment to see your eye care provider.