Beyond Vision: How Your Optometrist Can Spot The Early Signs of High Cholesterol
When we think about visiting an optometrist, we often associate it with getting a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses or checking for eye diseases. However, many people don't realize that an eye examination can reveal much more than just the health of your eyes. It can provide early clues to systemic conditions, including high cholesterol, a leading risk factor for heart disease.
The Window to Your Health:
The eyes are often referred to as the windows to your soul, but they can also be a window to your overall health. The unique aspect of the eye, particularly the retina, is its transparency, allowing optometrists to view blood vessels directly without invasive procedures. This offers a rare glimpse into the vascular system and can sometimes reveal systemic health issues like high cholesterol. This early detection can be crucial in preventing more severe complications, such as heart attacks or strokes.
Why is Cholesterol Important?
Cholesterol plays several essential roles in the body despite its negative reputation due to its association with heart disease. Here are some of its essential functions:
Cell Membrane Structure: Cholesterol is a vital component of cell membranes, contributing to their fluidity and stability. It helps in the formation and maintenance of cell structure, allowing cells to function properly.
Hormone Production: It serves as a precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones, including sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen, as well as hormones produced by the adrenal glands, such as cortisol and aldosterone. These hormones are crucial for various bodily functions, including growth, metabolism, and reproductive health.
Vitamin D Synthesis: Cholesterol is involved in the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is important for bone health, immune function, and inflammation regulation.
Digestion: It aids in the production of bile acids in the liver, which are essential for the digestion and absorption of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) in the intestine.
Nervous System: Cholesterol is also important in the nervous system, where it is involved in the formation of myelin sheaths. Myelin sheaths are protective coverings that insulate nerve fibres, facilitating the rapid transmission of electrical impulses between nerve cells.
While cholesterol is necessary for these critical functions, maintaining a balance is key, as high levels of certain types of cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, can lead to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
The Basics: HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol is often referred to as "good" cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream. LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol, known as "bad" cholesterol, can build up on the walls of your arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Spotting High Cholesterol Around the Eyes
High cholesterol itself doesn't have direct symptoms, which is why it's often called a "silent killer." However, its signs can sometimes manifest around the eyes in various ways:
Corneal Arcus: This appears as a gray or white ring around the cornea and is caused by lipid deposits. While more common in older adults, its presence in younger individuals can be a red flag for high cholesterol. Check out our blog post on Corneal Arcus.
Xanthelasma: These are yellowish patches or plaques that occur on the eyelids or around the eyes. They are made up of cholesterol deposits and can indicate high levels of lipids in the blood.
Retinal Vein Occlusion: While many factors can cause this condition, one of the contributing factors can be high cholesterol, leading to blood clots that block the retinal veins or atherosclerosis, which pinches the retinal vein.
Hollenhorst plaques are tiny, cholesterol-rich emboli that can be observed within the blood vessels of the retina. These plaques appear as bright, refractile spots on the retina and are indicative of cholesterol embolization, where cholesterol particles break off from atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries or the heart and travel to the eye. The presence of Hollenhorst plaques is a significant finding as it can signal underlying cardiovascular disease, including a higher risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
These signs, detected during a comprehensive eye exam, can prompt further investigation into your cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health. Regular eye exams become not just about vision care but an important preventive measure for broader health concerns.
Diagnosis and Referral:
Suppose your optometrist notices something that could indicate high cholesterol. In that case, they will recommend that you see your primary care physician for blood tests and further evaluation. Your optometrist cannot diagnose high cholesterol levels on their own, nor will they be the ones to treat it.
Your family doctor will check your cholesterol levels by ordering a blood test called a lipid panel or lipid profile. This test typically requires fasting (not eating) for 9-12 hours beforehand to ensure accuracy. A small blood sample is taken, usually from a vein in your arm, and sent to a lab for analysis. The lipid panel measures several types of fats in the blood, including:
Total Cholesterol: The overall amount of cholesterol in your blood.
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol: Often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, it can build up in the walls of your arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol: Known as "good" cholesterol, it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from your bloodstream.
Triglycerides: A type of fat in your blood that can also increase the risk of heart disease if levels are too high.
So, what are Ideal Cholesterol Levels?
The current ideal range for cholesterol levels in Canada is set at:
Less than 5.18 mmol/L is ideal
Between 5.18-6.18mmol/L is borderline
Greater than 6.18mmol/L is high
Your doctor will further look to see if your Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol levels are less than 3.0mmol/L and your High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol are greater than 1.0mmol/L.
Lifestyle, Diet, and Beyond
Beyond the diagnosis, managing high cholesterol often involves lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet, regular exercise, and, if necessary, medication. Your optometrist can also provide advice on maintaining eye health, especially if cholesterol has begun to affect your vision.
Some foods which you can eat to help with high cholesterol levels include:
Oats and Barley: Rich in soluble fibre, particularly beta-glucan, which can help reduce LDL cholesterol by binding to it in the digestive system and facilitating its excretion.
Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts are high in monounsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL cholesterol levels and improve heart health when consumed in moderation.
Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids known for their heart-health benefits, including lowering triglycerides and improving overall cholesterol profiles.
Fruits and Vegetables: Many fruits and vegetables are high in soluble fibre and antioxidants, which can help lower cholesterol. Berries, apples, brussels sprouts, and avocados are particularly beneficial.
Legumes: Beans, lentils, and peas are excellent sources of soluble fibre and plant-based protein, making them effective in lowering LDL cholesterol and improving heart health.
Beyond Vision & Glasses
An eye exam can uncover more than just vision problems; it can be pivotal in detecting systemic health issues like high cholesterol. This highlights the importance of regular comprehensive eye exams with your optometrist. Remember, everything is connected in the realm of health, and your eyes might hold the key to uncovering hidden health issues. If you have a family history of high cholesterol or you just want to take better care of your overall health, contact us to book an eye exam with one of our optometrists at our new Helio Optometry location on 149th Street and 95th Ave in Edmonton, Alberta.
Disclaimer: The content provided in this blog post by Helio Optometry eye care clinic in Edmonton is intended solely for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a Licensed Optometrist. No doctor/patient relationship is established through the use of this blog. The information and resources presented are not meant to endorse or recommend any particular medical treatment. Readers must consult with their own healthcare provider regarding their health concerns. Helio Optometry and its optometrists do not assume any liability for the information contained herein nor for any errors or omissions. Use of the blog's content is at the user's own risk, and users are encouraged to make informed decisions about their health care based on consultations with qualified professionals.
