Eye exams can reveal more than just vision problems

Many people know the advantages of getting a regular eye exam to maintain good eye health, but according to the Poughkeepsie Journal, your eye care provider can uncover more than vision problems.

Optometrists can discover the presence of more serious ailments, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, just by looking at a person's retina.

"Most of my patients are 60-plus, and I routinely see these problems in their retinas," optometrist Dr Roger Phelps told the news source.

The ability of eye care professionals early warning signs of potentially dangerous conditions should encourage individuals to schedule a regular eye exam. Many patients with vision problems like glaucoma may often not know that they have the affliction until they have already lost sight.

The news provider also reports that the importance of an eye exam increases with age, as eyes become naturally weaker over time.

Eye exams tends to go much further than ordinary vision screenings, AllAboutVision.com reports. While vision screenings have their benefits, they are not nearly as encompassing as eye exams and can only identify a potential vision problems.