vision & eye health

The eyes are the windows to the soul according to the poet, but your eyes are a window into your health.

Based on years of research and observation, eye doctors now have an understanding of how systemic disease can be detected during an eye exam.

The eye is the only organ in the body where a doctor can directly see blood vessels.  The health of these vessels may indicate the condition of blood vessels throughout the body, and thus is helpful in identifying heart disease and diabetes.  Inflammation of the iris may indicate the presence of an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.  Protruding eyes might point to the presence of Grave's disease; dry eyes may indicate thyroid disorders; difficulty with eye movement, optic nerve inflammation, blind spots or variable vision may suggest multiple sclerosis.

If the doctors at Burrows Vision Clinic detect any systemic abnormalities, they will work with your family physician or internist to determine if further treatment is required.

The eyes can develop their own diseases - click here for detailed information on eye diseases and conditions.