08/27/2026
As an eye doctor + dentist, we’re looking for much more than whether you need glasses or have a cavity.
Here’s what we mean ↓
👀 1. Your blood pressure may be too high
The retina is one of the few places in the body where we can directly view blood vessels. Changes in those vessels can be associated with high blood pressure and other vascular disease.
🦷 2. Your stress may be showing
Your teeth can tell on you! Clenching, grinding, worn or fractured teeth, and jaw muscle tenderness can all be signs of bruxism—which can be associated with stress, sleep issues, and other factors.
👀 3. You may have signs of diabetes
Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina. And here’s the surprising part: diabetic retinal changes can be present even when your vision still seems perfectly normal.
🦷 4. Your gums may be telling us about more than your mouth
Persistent bleeding, swelling, and inflammation aren’t something to ignore. Gum disease has important associations with systemic health, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease—another reason maintaining oral health matters.
👀 5. Your hormones may be changing
If your eyes suddenly feel drier in your 40s or 50s, you’re not imagining the timing. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect tear production, the ocular surface, and the oil-producing meibomian glands that help keep tears from evaporating.
🦷 6. You may be dealing with acid reflux
Repeated exposure to stomach acid can cause characteristic patterns of enamel erosion. Sometimes we notice those changes even when reflux symptoms aren’t particularly obvious.
👀🦷 7. Your medications may be affecting BOTH
Antihistamines, certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications and other commonly used medications can contribute to dry eye and/or dry mouth. That’s why both of us want to know what medications you’re taking—even when they don’t seem related to your eyes or teeth.
The takeaway?
Your eye exam is about more than 20/20. 👀
Your dental exam is about more than cavities. 🦷
Your eyes, your mouth, and the rest of your body are all connected. ❤️