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6 surprising things your eyes reveal about your health
Don’t need glasses or contacts to see clearly? Then you might think a yearly trip to the eye doctor isn’t worth your time. But in fact, such a visit can tell you a lot more about your health than how your eyes are doing.
The eyes can reveal important information about overall health. They let doctors see blood vessels and nerves directly without surgery. As a result, an eye exam can find a serious illness before you notice symptoms. Or it can find a sign that a disease you know you have is getting worse and needs more care.
Here’s a list of some of the health problems your eye doctor can help uncover.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, an eye doctor may check to see if the blood vessels in your eyes are leaking into the retina. This is a condition called diabetic retinopathy.* This is a diabetes-related eye problem that affects the retina. (That’s the part of the eye that takes in light so you can see.*)
At first, the condition may cause no symptoms at all. Or it may cause a little blurriness. But it can also lead to blindness. Treating diabetes, and your eyes if needed, can help save your vision.
Check out your vision benefits
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High cholesterol
The clear layer that covers your eye — the cornea — may have cholesterol deposits, which may be flat or raised. These aren’t usually anything to worry about. And there’s often no need for treatment.* But it can be a sign that you need to visit your primary care provider (PCP). Then, talk with your PCP about your heart health and what you can do to protect your heart.
Autoimmune diseases
Some illnesses can cause inflammation in the body. That includes many parts of your eye. And it means you should visit a doctor who focuses on autoimmune diseases. (This is when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells).
Examples of autoimmune diseases are rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory illness. It affects many joints like those in the hands and feet. Multiple sclerosis is a disease where the immune system eats away at the cover that protects your nerves. Type 1 diabetes stops your pancreas from making insulin. Your body needs insulin to manage blood sugar.
Some cancers
Some cancers can spread to the eye or areas around it, especially those that travel through the body. These cancers may cause changes in the eye. Skin cancer can also develop around the eyes, since this area is often exposed to the sun. During an exam, your provider will look for these kinds of changes as possible warning signs.*
Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a weak spot in the wall of an artery. It looks like a little balloon. This bulge can press on nearby tissue and nerves, causing one of the pupils to be larger. Other eye signs include a drooping eyelid, pain above or behind the eye or double vision.
If you notice any of these signs, call your doctor right away. It could mean you have an aneurysm or other serious condition that could be deadly.* If your eye doctor sees any of these changes, they may suggest seeing a specialist.
When you take charge of your eye health, you can take charge of your health overall. So go ahead and schedule your eye exam today.
*FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND CANCER: Mukamal R. American Academy of Ophthalmology. 20 surprising health problems an eye exam can catch. April 17, 2025. Accessed April 3, 2026.
*FOR RETINOPATHY SOURCE: Mayo Clinic. Diabetic retinopathy. August 13, 2025. Accessed April 3, 2026.
*FOR CHOLESTEROL TREATMENT SOURCE: Lopez-Jimenez F. Mayo Clinic. Arcus senilis: a sign of cholesterol? October 8, 2025. Accessed April 3, 2026.
*FOR BRAIN ANEURSYM DANGER SOURCE: Mayo Clinic. Brain aneurysm. April 26, 2025. Accessed April 3, 2026.
*If you’re a Florida plan member, you can reach your care team at 1-844-498-1860 (TTY: 711), 7 days a week, 8 AM to 11 PM ET.
See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. This material is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Contact a health care professional with any questions or concerns about specific health care needs. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Aetna is not a provider of health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to our website.
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