September 7, 2016
The only place in the body where blood vessels can be viewed, without cutting into the skin, is in the eye. This makes the eye a perfect place for eye doctors to assess the health of these vessels and often gives clues about the health of other blood vessels in the body. Signs of diabetes, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems can be seen by doctors observing the blood vessels in the eye. In addition, small blood clots occasionally lodge themselves in the eye’s blood vessels. These clots are emergencies. Depending on the type of clot seen, blood work to check cholesterol levels or scans of the carotid artery in the neck or the heart may be necessary. If these clots are not detected soon enough, and these procedures not performed in time, a patient can lose vision. Doctors at Vision Center P.C. take care to observe the retinal blood vessels at each exam in order to help keep individuals healthy and preserve vision. It is no wonder that the eyes are a window to the body’s health.