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Can High Cholesterol Cause Blurred Vision

Diagnosing The Effects Of High Cholesterol

CAN ANXIETY CAUSE VISION PROBLEMS?

Your eyes are the only areas of your body where your blood vessels can be observed without actually cutting into your bodily tissues.

An examination of the blood vessels in your eyes can help physicians determine the potential level of plaque and clots you may have as a result of increased cholesterol levels. This type of observation may be useful in developing treatment plans.

Signs Of Retinal Artery Occlusions

If retinal arterial occlusions have occurred, these signs may be present:

  • A bluish-colored ring forming around the outside of the cornea , which represents deposits of cholesterol
  • Xanthelasma, small yellow-like elevations of the skin above the eyes or near the nose that may also signal high cholesterol levels
  • A Hollenhorst plaque, a buildup of cholesterol that has broken off a clot from another artery, such as the carotid artery

While having either an arcus senillis or xanthelasma would most likely be considered benign or harmless, a Hollenhorst plaque can block blood flow and result in death of the tissue that is being fed by the artery. This can lead to vision loss that could be permanent. These plaques may also signal an increased potential for stroke.

Diagnosis Of Blurred Vision

Your doctor will initially take an inventory of your symptoms and will attempt to find out if anything makes your vision better or worse. They will also need to know your family history as related to eye health and conditions.

A physical examination of the eyes will also be done. This will include an eye chart, performing a refraction test, ophthalmoscopy, or slit lamp examination. Blood tests can also be done to determine if there is a bacterial infection in the blood causing an eye infection.

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How Is Blurred Vision Treated

The cause of your blurred vision will be diagnosed using various eye tests and a physical examination of your eyes. If an underlying medical cause is suspected, you may also have a blood test.

The treatment of your blurred vision will depend on the cause. It might include eye drops, laser surgery or medicines.

If you have blurred vision, you may need to wear glasses or contact lenses.

Treatments For Diabetic Retinopathy

Eye Disease Education in Houston

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy is only necessary if screening detects significant problems that mean your vision is at risk.

If the condition hasn’t reached this stage, the above advice on managing your diabetes is recommended.

The main treatments for more advanced diabetic retinopathy are:

  • laser treatment
  • injections of medication into your eyes
  • an operation to remove blood or scar tissue from your eyes

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How To Tell If You Have High Cholesterol With An Eye Exam

Your eyes are the window to your arteries. With a good dilated exam, your doctor can see if you have cholesterol build up in the vessels of your eyes. This build up can form plaque, causing blockage much like a blockage that occurs in the heart. This blockage stops the flow of blood to and from the eye, causing a possible stroke.

A stroke to the eye, otherwise known as a retinal vein occlusion occurs when the connection between the optic nerve and your brain is blocked. This can cause irreversible loss of vision. Even worse, this plaque could break off and travel to the brain causing a stroke that can affect your motor skills, memory, speech impairment and even death. Early detection and treatment is very important to preserve your vision and quality of life.

In the event that a doctor determines there is plaque in the eye, the patient will be sent for further testing. Our doctors here at Fisher Swale Nicholson Eye Center will work with your primary care physician and cardiologist to help if a course of action is needed for treatment.

Other Signs of High Cholesterol In The Eyes

Less serious signs of cholesterol seen in the eyes are bluish colored rings around the cornea, the clear outer surface of the eye. This condition is known as arcus senilis and does not interfere with your vision but could be an indicator of high cholesterol.

Call Fisher Swale Nicholson Eye Center today at to schedule your comprehensive eye exam.

Overexposure To The Sun

A pink or yellow bump on the white of the eye can indicate damage to the conjunctiva from too much sunlight exposure. They can expand and grow further in and eventually block your vision, Dr. Stalker explains. Invest in a good pair of sunglasses that offer full UV protection and cover your eyes completely.

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Eye Disorders Linked To Statin Drug Use In Some Patients

Date:
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Summary:
Statin medications are used to lower patients’ cholesterol levels, thus helping prevent coronary heart disease, stroke and other deaths related to high cholesterol levels. Statin use has grown rapidly since 1992, and seems likely to increase in light of the recent, widely-reported Jupiter Study on statin benefits in patients with low cholesterol but elevated C-reactive protein.

Statin medications are used to lower patients’ cholesterol levels, thus helping prevent coronary heart disease, stroke and other deaths related to high cholesterol levels. Statin use has grown rapidly since 1992, and seems likely to increase in light of the recent, widely-reported Jupiter Study on statin benefits in patients with low cholesterol but elevated C-reactive protein. Eye disorders related to statins are rare, occurring in about 0.1 percent of patients .

A new study led by F.W. Fraunfelder, MD, of the Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, is the first to systematically report on the association of eye disorders with statin use. The study appears in the Dec. 1 issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

From the ADR reports, the researchers could not determine precisely which eye muscles were involved, or time needed to full recovery after statin discontinuation, for individual cases.

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Symptoms Of Diabetic Retinopathy

Why do we get blurred vision with diabetes mellitus

You won’t usually notice diabetic retinopathy in the early stages, as it doesn’t tend to have any obvious symptoms until it’s more advanced.

However, early signs of the condition can be picked up by taking photographs of the eyes during diabetic eye screening.

Contact your GP or diabetes care team immediately if you experience:

  • gradually worsening vision
  • shapes floating in your field of vision
  • blurred or patchy vision
  • eye pain or redness

These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have diabetic retinopathy, but it’s important to get them checked out. Don’t wait until your next screening appointment.

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How To Spot High Blood Cholesterol

High blood cholesterol presents with no signs and symptoms until it causes a significant narrowing of one or more arteries. The only conclusive way to detect high blood cholesterol is with an appropriate diagnostic investigation. These tests are conducted on blood samples and the level of both good and bad cholesterol can be verified.

However, artherosclerosis can cause one or more of the following symptoms when it affects the heart or brain. It is important to note that the signs and symptoms discussed below may occur as episodes which comes and go. Eventually the symptoms will become severe and often permanent once a heart attack or brain stroke arises. Death is a possible outcome in these situations.

Can I Do Anything To Avoid Infections Of The Perineum While Taking Jardiance

In rare cases, a serious infection called necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum has been reported in people who took Jardiance. This bacterial infection causes damage to the tissue under the skin of the perineum.

These infections werent reported in people who took Jardiance in clinical studies. But rare cases of this infection have been reported in both males* and females* since the drug has been on the market. These infections have led to hospitalization, surgeries, and even death.

The following suggestions can help lower your risk for necrotizing fasciitis:

  • Try to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and drink plenty of water. When your blood sugar levels are high, your risk for skin infections goes up. High blood sugar levels can cause your skin to become dry. Dry skin is more prone to crack and heals more slowly. Drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day can help keep skin hydrated.
  • Practice good personal hygiene. Wipe from front to back after using the restroom to prevent the spread of bacteria to your urinary tract. Also, wear loose-fitting cotton underwear, and change it daily.
  • Dont wait to get treatment. If you think you have an infection around your urinary tract or genital area, contact your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner its treated, the less likely the infection is to spread or become severe.

* Use of the terms male and female within this article refers to a persons sex assigned at birth.

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Why Do I Have High Cholesterol

For many people, lifestyle plays a big role in the development of the condition. Its often due to a combination of diet and how active you are, as well as your genetic capacity to produce cholesterol, says Raj Khandwalla, MD, cardiologist and director of digital therapeutics at Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. Being overweight and smoking can also increase your chances of developing high cholesterol.

Cholesterol And Your Eyes And Vision

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Can having high cholesterol levels have an effect on your eye and vision health?

Answer: High cholesterol can affect the eyes and vision, and the ramifications can be anything from benign and cosmetic to devastating, irreversible blindness.

Cholesterol plays an important role in human tissue it is a component of cell membranes and the precursor for the manufacture of steroids and other hormones and it is important in the production of bile, an acid used in the digestion of fats. However, too much cholesterolspecifically, too much Low Density Lipoprotein can have devastating consequences to both systemic and ocular health.

High Density Lipoprotein is used to carry cholesterol from artery walls to the liver and is thus often considered the good cholesterol, while LDL transports cholesterol to artery walls and body tissue. For this reason, elevated LDL levels are considered a risk to health, as cholesterol buildup can narrow arterial walls, and parts of a cholesterol plaque can break off and block smaller arteries downstream, leading to a loss of function of the area supplied by the affected artery. When this artery is in the heart, it can lead to a heart attack. In the brain, it is a stroke. And in the eye, it is referred to as an retinal artery occlusion.

Dr. Matthew Bovenzi is an assistant clinical professor in the University Eye Centers primary care service. He is also a supervisor in the glaucoma clinic.

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Ten Symptoms Of High Cholesterol You Shouldnt Ignore

09 December, 2020

Those who know they have a tendency to suffer symptoms from certain health problems are often concerned about it. Therefore, well focus on these below.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance present in the fats of the blood. Although many only know it for its harmful effects on health, in reality, its essential for the optimal functioning of our body.

Cholesterol is necessary for the production of bile, which is responsible for digesting fat. In addition, its also responsible for the production of some hormones and helpful for your cardiovascular health.

You’re Dealing With Ocular Migraines

An ocular migraine is typically caused by spasm of the blood vessels that feed the part of the brain responsible for processing vision, Vicente Diaz MD, MBA, a Yale Medicine ophthalmologist, tells Health. Symptoms include flashing lights, blind spots, and seeing patterns often with many jagged edges and corners, he explains.

An ocular migraine can occur with or without a headache, and typically will last under an hour, but in 20% of cases, it can last longer. He adds that the term ocular migraine can also refer to a retinal migraine, a rare condition which causes loss of vision in one eye only and can indicate problems with retinal blood flow.

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Cholesterol Contributes To Vision Problems

Studies have looked at the relationship between high cholesterol and vision problems and have found that high cholesterol may contribute to retinal vein occlusion, which is a condition that causes sudden blindness. This condition occurs because plaques build up in the arteries, preventing blood flow to the eyes. The optic nerve becomes negatively impacted by this reduced blood flow, and the end result is sudden vision loss.

Another vision problem associated with high cholesterol is corneal arcus. The eye will reveal whitish, gray, or yellowish deposits associated with high cholesterol. This colored ring appears around the retina and has been found to be related to diabetes and high blood pressure. The main course of treatment for corneal arcus is controlling cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol can also lead to xanthomas, yellowish bumps that appear on the skin and, in some cases, on the eye. Normally, xanthomas arent harmful but can lead to disfiguration. In some cases, the yellowish bumps burst, which require medical attention immediately.

The takeaway message here is that high cholesterol is bad for your health as a whole, not just for your heart. If your doctor has expressed concerns about your cholesterol, you should take the necessary steps to lower your levels not only for improving your heart, but for maintaining your vision as well.

High Cholesterol Effects On Eyes

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High cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia, is characterized by the presence in the bloodstream of abnormally high total cholesterol — combined high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, and low-density lipoprotein — LDL, abnormally high LDL — bad cholesterol, and/or abnormally high triglycerides. This condition can have adverse affects on your eyes, causing corneal arcus, retinal vein occlusion and xanthomas.

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When To See Your Doctor

When your blurred vision is accompanied by other symptoms that do not get better with time, you need to speak with your doctor. Blurred vision can be caused by something minor and temporary, but it can also be a sign of a more serious health condition.

The only way to treat the blurred vision, in this case, is to treat the underlying disease. Ignoring the blurred vision and leaving a disease untreated could result in a worsening of vision and more serious health problems.

In This Article

How Diabetes Can Affect The Eyes

The retina is the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye that converts light into electrical signals. The signals are sent to the brain which turns them into the images you see.

The retina needs a constant supply of blood, which it receives through a network of tiny blood vessels. Over time, a persistently high blood sugar level can damage these blood vessels in 3 main stages:

  • background retinopathy tiny bulges develop in the blood vessels, which may bleed slightly but don’t usually affect your vision
  • pre-proliferative retinopathy more severe and widespread changes affect the blood vessels, including more significant bleeding into the eye
  • proliferative retinopathy scar tissue and new blood vessels, which are weak and bleed easily, develop on the retina, this can result in some loss of vision

However, if a problem with your eyes is picked up early, lifestyle changes and/or treatment can stop it getting worse.

By keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control, you can reduce your chances of developing diabetic retinopathy.

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How Can I Avoid Yeast Infections While Taking Jardiance

In studies, genital yeast infections were one of the most common side effects in people taking Jardiance. This occurred more often in females, but it also occurred in some males.*

Yeast infections occur when the good bacteria in your body get out of balance. The following tips may help prevent yeast infections while taking Jardiance:

  • Avoid sexual activity while you or a partner has a yeast infection. Yeast infections can pass back and forth.
  • Wear breathable cotton underwear, and change it daily. And dont wear a wet swimsuit for longer than you have to. Tight, non-breathable fabrics may trap moisture. And yeast is a fungus that likes to grow in moist, dark areas.
  • Wipe from front to back after using the restroom. This can prevent the spread of bacteria to the genitals or urinary tract.
  • Choose foods that help support the good bacteria that normally keep yeast from overgrowing. These foods include yogurt that contains natural probiotics.

* Use of the terms male and female within this article refers to a persons sex assigned at birth.

What Type Of Doctor Do You See For Ocular Migraines

Your Eyes: A Reflection of Your Health

If you have ocular migraines, you can see an ophthalmologist oran optometrist.

Optometrists are eye care specialists who offer primary vision care services, including:

  • Vision testing
  • Correction of visual problems
  • Treatment and management of visual issues and eye diseases

On the other hand, ophthalmologists are medical practitioners who specialize in eye and vision care. They differ from optometrists in their degrees of schooling as well as what they can diagnose and cure.

An ophthalmologist is a healthcare professional who has finished college and has at least eight years of further medical studies. He or she is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. Ophthalmologists hold a Doctor of Medicine degree.

Optometrists are healthcare professionals who complete four additional years of school after finishing undergraduate studies. They hold a Doctor of Optometry degree.

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What Exactly Is Blurred Vision

Blurry, unclear, unfocused vision is the most common eyesight problem, and usually it isnt anything major to worry about it. Blurriness could just be a sign that your glasses or contacts prescription needs updating. Every once in a while though, fuzzy vision signals something more serious.

Always investigate whats causing your blurry vision. Knowing the reason behind it can be the difference between experiencing the world in all its dimensions or not. Sight is such a valued sense, but there are still a lot of problems that fall through the cracks, says Rajiv Shah, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

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