Eye Examinations Archives

10 Systemic Diseases Diagnosed by an Eye Exam

Written By Courtney Dryer

Most people think of having their eyes checked when they experience blurry vision or want to purchase new eyeglasses or contact lenses.

You may not be aware of the many systemic diseases of the body that can be diagnosed from an eye exam. A dilated eye exam allows your eye doctor to look in the back of the eye at the blood vessels and retina to uncover signs of systemic diseases. Even if you are still seeing well, it is still important to have your eyes checked annually to make sure they are healthy.

Here are 10 systemic diseases that can be diagnosed by your doctor by looking at your eyes:

Are Daily Contacts Better Than Monthly Contacts? What to Know

Written By Courtney Dryer

Are daily contacts better than monthly ones? It’s a question many contact wearers ask. You may have heard from your aunt, sister, friend, or roommate how great daily lenses are. Your eye doctor tries to convince you to give up those dry, irritating monthly contacts every year, and you wonder…

What makes daily contact lenses better than monthly ones?

Eye comfort, vision, health, technology, and lifestyle convenience are five reasons why patients and doctors prefer daily contact lenses over other lens modalities. Still asking, are daily contacts better? Let’s break it down!

What Is Thyroid Eye Disease? What You Should Know

Written By Michael Healy

An estimated one out of every 100 Americans is affected by a condition known as Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that leads to an overactive thyroid, a condition more commonly known as hyperthyroidism. Those diagnosed with Graves’ disease are also at an increased risk of developing Graves’ ophthalmopathy, also known as thyroid eye disease (TED).

In fact, it’s estimated that one out of every four people with Graves’ disease will experience some form of TED. In addition, and according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), TED is five times more common in women but more likely to be more severe in men.

For most, symptoms of TED usually appear within six months of the appearance of symptoms associated with Graves’ disease.

Eye Floaters and Flashes: When Should You Worry About Them?

Written By Louise Wood

Are you seeing lightning flashes (and there is no thunderstorm)? Do you feel like you are constantly living in a tornado of dust? You’re not losing it. It may be merely a visual phenomenon. If you have seen something moving across your field of vision, or you think you are seeing ants moving on the table, you could be experiencing eye floaters.

A floater is a universal term for specks, threads, or cobweb-type images that you see drifting in your vision. Sometimes, when you have eye floaters, you will also notice a flash of light similar to a camera’s flash.

Eye flashes and floaters can be harmless, but they can also be a warning sign trouble is on its way.

How to Win a Staring Contest: The Truth About Blinking

Written By Louise Wood

Holding a stare asserts dominance over your opponent! It requires discipline and courage. We only have to look at the animal kingdom to see this in action… a tiger stalking its prey. Blinking is a natural reflex. Your body does it automatically with no thinking required. And it’s essential in maintaining eye health. We’re breaking all things blinking down in this guide — and as a bonus, we’ll let you in on the secret of how to win a staring contest!