How vision health is connected to your overall health

Your eyes do a lot more than help you see clearly, they can also offer important clues about your overall health. That’s why caring for your vision is just as essential as caring for your teeth or your general wellbeing.

Watch the video below for a deeper look at how your eyes and body work together and why regular vision checkups matter.

Small vision problems can have a big impact

Even less-serious eye issues can affect how you feel day-to-day.

Blurry vision, dry or irritated eyes, and digital eye strain may seem minor, but they can lead to:

• Frequent headaches

• Trouble focusing

• Mood changes

• More falls or accidental bumps

• Fatigue

These issues often build slowly, so people sometimes don’t realize how much their eyes are affecting their quality of life until they get relief.

Your overall health affects your eyes, too

The connection works both ways: many whole-body conditions impact your vision.

One of the most common is diabetes, which is the leading cause of vision loss for adults ages 20–74. Diabetes can also increase your risk for:

• Glaucoma

• Cataracts

• Diabetic retinopathy (damage to eye blood vessels)

But diabetes isn’t the only concern. High blood pressure, autoimmune conditions, certain skin cancers, and even infections can show up in or around the eyes.

Why vision checkups are an important part of preventive care

During a routine eye exam, your optometrist does much more than update your glasses or contact prescription. They check your:

• Cornea

• Pupils

• Retina

• Eye color and clarity

• Surrounding skin and tissue

These parts of the eye can reveal early signs of many health issues, sometimes before symptoms are noticeable. Conditions your eye doctor may detect include:

• Dry eye and allergies

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

• Lyme disease

• Skin or tissue cancers

• Brain tumors

• And more

That means regular vision checkups are an important part of catching potential problems early, when treatment is often most effective.

Keeping your eyes (and your body) healthy

The best way to protect your vision and support your overall health is simple:

• Schedule annual vision exams

• Wear prescription eyewear if you need it

• Give your eyes breaks from screens

• Protect your eyes from UV rays

• Know your health history and risk factors

Vision benefits like DeltaVision® make these important checkups easier and more affordable by providing access to a nationwide network of eye doctors and low out-of-pocket costs.