Diseases of the central nervous system can manifest as a series of pathological changes in the retina of the eye.

Research shows that changes in the retina can be detected before changes in the brain become visible.

In fact, studies suggest that eye examination could be used as a noninvasive screening tool for diseases of the human brain.

The retina, the light-harvesting tissue in the lower part of the eye, can be considered an integral part of the central nervous system.

The structure and function of the retina can be easily examined with noninvasive or minimally invasive methods, whereas direct investigation of the brain has numerous limitations.

If the health status of the brain could be assessed indirectly through the eyes, diagnostic detection of brain diseases could be more efficient.

Ocular manifestations of disorders affecting the brain

As the eye is an extension of the brain, it can be studied to look for ocular manifestations of brain pathologies.

In fact, several ocular changes have been detected and characterized through ophthalmologic evaluations in patients with disorders affecting the brain and central nervous system such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Although some ocular manifestations are not specific to a particular disease, their existence emphasizes the strong link between the retina and the brain.

Furthermore, in many of these disorders, the ocular manifestations often precede the symptoms presenting in the brain, indicating that ocular investigations could provide a means of early diagnosis.

Stroke

Studies have shown that microvascular abnormalities of the retina, including retinal hemorrhage and narrowing of the arteries, could predict the risk of brain changes such as cerebral infarcts, stroke, and stroke mortality

Multiple sclerosis

In this neuro-degenerative disease, visual dysfunction is a major cause of disability.

Vision loss is a presenting symptom in 50% of patients, and in most cases some degree of visual impairment develops over the course of the disease.

Parkinson's disease

This disease is primarily associated with motor dysfunction, but also involves non-motor symptoms that may include visual deficits.

Such deficits may manifest as impaired visual acuity, low contrast sensitivity and/or altered color vision, and may lzad to abnormal responses on electrophysiological tests.

Lymphoma

Ocular manifestations are present in lymphomas such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, many patients are initially diagnosed with primary intraocular lymphoma, which presents with symptoms such as "floaters" (deposits within the vitreous that cast shadows on the retina, resulting in the appearance of spots, threads or fragments of cobwebs floating in the visual field), decreased vision and ocular inflammation.

Eye disease as neuro-degeneration

Beyond the fact that major brain diseases manifest within the eye, several diseases that are unique to the eye show features of neurodegenerative disorders.

This overlap is probably explained by similarities between the eye and the brain in terms of tissue structure and interactions with the immune system.

Vision Insurance, guaranteed prevention of eye diseases
There are many benefits that a patient can acquire from the very first moment he or she decides to take out a vision insurance plan.

One of the main aspects of this type of policy is prevention, which is guaranteed from the very first moment a patient decides to take out a plan.

Three of the most important reasons for taking out an insurance policy that takes care of your eyesight are mentioned below.

Vision wellness: Just like a balanced diet or an exercise routine, vision insurance is primarily concerned with promoting good visual health.

Eye exams are considered critically important preventive care to detect potential eye problems, and insurance plans typically cover most, if not all, of the cost of the exam.

Scheduling regular exams helps your Optometrist identify vision correction needs, changes within the eye and early stages of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

General Health: During an eye exam, Optometrists have the ability to be able to detect a number of often detect serious medical problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers, autoimmune diseases, thyroid problems and high cholesterol.

Detecting these diseases at an early stage can reduce medical treatment costs.

Cost savings: The amount of money that can be saved through Vision Insurance is very significant.

These insurances include a large number of benefits such as contact lenses, eyeglasses or eyeglass frames that have high costs but are easily accessible thanks to the policy.

In addition, the insurance gives you the option to enjoy significant discounts in case the treatment you need is not covered by the policy.

 

Source:
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