For many individuals, problems with their cardiovascular can be seen in their eyes. That’s because the eyes allow us to clearly see the condition of blood vessels, nerves and internal tissues without performing surgery.
So, if an eye doctor spots a problem in your eyes’ blood vessels, it may indicate a problem with blood vessels in other parts of your body. After all, the eyes aren’t isolated; they’re a part of an entire system.
How the Ocular System Connects to the Cardiovascular System
The link between the two systems can be found in the eye’s ‘retina vasculature’ — the network of blood vessels that supplies blood to the retina.
An underlying cardiovascular problem is often apparent in the retina’s blood vessels because they share the same mechanisms. And treating a diagnosed heart disease may also improve eye disease.
Having cardiovascular disease significantly increases one’s risk of having vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. For example, experts have found that patients with atherosclerosis often have cholesterol buildup in their retinas, and are more prone to developing age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Some shared risk factors for eye disease and heart disease:
- Obesity
- Elevated lipid levels
- Metabolic syndrome
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation
If any of the above risk factors apply to you or a loved one, we can help.
At YESnick Vision Center, we perform comprehensive eye exams with the most up-to-date technology to provide accurate and thorough diagnoses. Whether you have a history of heart disease or are at risk, we can help by closely monitoring your eye health to notice any changes that could signal a problem.
To schedule your comprehensive eye exam, call Silicon Valley Eye Physicians in Sunnyvale today!
At Silicon Valley Eye Physicians, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 408-739-6200 or book an appointment online to see one of our Sunnyvale eye doctors.
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