| The eyes are sometimes called the "windows to the soul". Regardless of the philosophical meaning of the statement, the eyes can at least serve as a physiologic window to the body. The eyes can be used to identify certain neurologic disorders, vascular problems, etc.
There are various forms of eye disorders. Physical trauma and cataracts affect the outermost layers of the eye. Glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and macular degeneration are few examples of problems affecting the inner portions of the eye. Double vision, strabismus, dilated pupils can be caused by muscular or neural origins. Difficulty in vertical or horizontal gaze may potentially indicate brain defects. The possibilities are numerous, making the eye check-up a useful aspect of the physical exam. |