Ocular Signs of Heart Disease

Ocular Signs of Heart Disease

It is said that the eyes are the window to the soul, but they can also show signs of certain health issues. One of these health issues is heart disease.  The following manifestations are signs that you might have heart disease:

• Small yellow or flesh-colored spots around the eyes called xanthalasmas are not necessarily harmful but may collect around the eyelids. Many people just want them removed because they are unsightly, but they don’t understand that they may be a sign of high cholesterol. 
• A whitish gray ring, called arcus senilis, around the iris of the eye can also indicate elevated blood lipid levels and cholesterol. 
• Changes in the retinal blood vessels can indicate high blood pressure. The blood vessels can narrow and damage the retina. This is called hypertensive retinopathy and can progress to cause significant vision problems.

A comprehensive eye examination along with the Optomap retinal evaluation can detect many of these potential heart problems.  Leading a heart healthy lifestyle can help prevent heart disease and the eye problems that result.