Understanding the Impact of Systemic Diseases on Eye Health and Vision

  • 9 months ago
https://bestpracticeeyecare.com.au/understanding-the-impact-of-systemic-diseases-on-eye-health-and-vision/

Understanding the Impact of Systemic Diseases on Eye Health and Vision

Staying on top of your eye health means more than just squinting at the small print or getting those trendy reading glasses. It means understanding the correlation between the overall systemic health of your body and your eyes. The team at Best Practice Eyecare is dedicated to helping patients do exactly that.

A significant part of Dr Karpa’s practice focuses on monitoring and educating patients about the effects of autoimmune diseases on the eyes. Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can cause inflammation in various parts of the eye, leading to problems ranging from dry eyes to cataracts, glaucoma, and even vision loss in severe cases.

A lesser-known fact is the effect of cardiovascular diseases on our eyes. Conditions such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) can lead to a condition called retinal vein occlusion. In such cases, the veins that drain blood from your retina get blocked, causing a sudden blurring or loss of vision. However, with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, this vision loss can be mitigated.


In addition to regular eye examinations, it’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep your eyes in top condition. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.

According to the National Eye Institute, a diet rich in dark leafy greens, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, and fruits packed full of vitamins C and E can help promote eye health and slow down age-related vision issues.

However, no matter how health-conscious we are, some eye conditions may develop as we age. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one such example. AMD is a common eye condition among people aged 50 and older and is a leading cause of vision loss

Additionally, AMD is a leading cause of vision loss among Australians over 50 years old. The Macular Disease Foundation Australia states that one in seven Australians over the age of 50 (approximately 1.29 million) have some evidence of AMD.