Which medical conditions can affect my eyes?

Diabetes: A condition which interferes with the body’s ability to store sugar properly. When there is too much sugar in the blood, it can cause damage to all aspects of the body including the eyes. Diabetes affects the small blood vessels and may lead to fluctuations in vision, cellular damage causing small bleeds and eventually progressive damage to the retina. Uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to cataracts and secondary glaucoma.

Systemic Hypertension: A condition where microvascular damage from elevated blood pressure can cause narrowing and leakage of vessels within the retina.

These are only a few medical conditions which may affect vision and the health of your eyes. An annual eye exam with your optometrist can give you an opportunity to discuss which conditions can cause risks to the health of your eyes.