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5 things your eyes can tell you about your health
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Eyes can tell a story better than the tongue. They are not just a window to your soul but they also offer a peek into your health. Changes in the colour, structure, texture and vision of your eyes can reveal a myriad of information about your health. Read on to know how your eyes can inform you of your health condition.
Blurred and cloudy vision
Most people assume blurry vision means they need glasses. But in reality, blurred vision can have more serious implications. It not only signals a problem with the eye itself, like macular degeneration or cataract development, but it can also be a sign of a grave condition like diabetes. This problem occurs because the blood vessels to the retina suffer huge damage and that leads to a cloud-like image obstructing the vision. If you are facing such symptoms, immediately check with your eye specialist.
Besides the risk of diabetes, blurred vision is also a result of prolonged laptop and mobile usage. Nowadays, most of our work is predominantly performed on the laptop, tablets or even on phones. This continuous exposure to the screen can harm our eyes in multiple ways and blurred vision is one of them. This has become such a common occurrence in medicine that there’s even a term coined for it- ‘digital eye strain’ or ‘dry eye syndrome’. One way to alleviate this strain is by wearing lenses customised exclusively for digital eye-strain reduction. Non-powered anti-glare glasses will increase the contrast and optimise your vision while looking at the screen. Perhaps if you want a bit more advanced version of anti-glare specs you should try out Blu-V lenses. In addition to eyewear solutions, you must take frequent breaks from screen use and keep at least an arm’s length from the device while viewing.
Yellowish whites
The white part of our eyes is called the sclera and it’s pegged to be a reliable indicator of one’s general health. Any discolouration in this region often means that there’s some abnormality in the body. A development of yellowish bump or patch on the whites of the eye can indicate two things; jaundice and over-exposure to sunlight. While only a small percentage of them are pre-cancerous, it’s best to consult an ophthalmologist just to be sure.
Risk of Jaundice
An increased level of bilirubin - a yellow waste substance in the eyes and the rest of the body - is a well-known aftermath of jaundice. Both adults and newborn babies with underdeveloped liver function run a risk of getting jaundice. This problem can also be related to the improper function of the gallbladder and bile ducts. Yellow eyes are definitely not normal, hence you should visit your doctor as soon as possible and get it checked. Some of the natural remedies for jaundice include carrots, lemon and chamomile. They are some of the food items that will keep your eyes healthy and are proven to improve the gallbladder and liver function.
Over-exposure to sunlight
Another probable cause for yellowing of eyes is if you’re getting too much of the sun. People who spend more than 4 hours under the sun are highly likely to face this symptom. One of the top tips to protect your eyes this summer is by wearing sunglasses while stepping out.
White rings around the cornea
If you discover a white ring or arc around your iris while applying makeup or shaving, it’s imperative that you check in with your personal ophthalmologist and also perform a full body analysis. The white arc suggests hypercholesteremia. In simple terms, it indicates an increased level of cholesterol in your body. It is commonly found in people above the age of 50 but if you’re less than 40 years, it’s highly recommended that you get a lipid test to check for any abnormalities. Past research has linked this to chances of cardiovascular diseases.
Bulging eyes
Proptosis - the medical term for bulging eyes - is a serious health problem. It occurs when both eyes protrude from the socket leaving a major part of the eyeball exposed to air. This can make it more difficult for the person to keep his eyes lubricated and moist at all times. In extreme cases, the protruding eyes can exert enormous pressure on the optic nerves, eventually leading to vision loss.
Amongst conditions like leukaemia and glaucoma, the most common cause for this eye defect is hyperthyroidism. In case of hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland secretes excessive amounts of the thyroxine hormone which has a negative effect on the eyes. A few symptoms apart from bulging eyes are immense dryness in the eyes, eye pain and redness. If you see any onset of these symptoms, visit your ophthalmologist right away.
Recurring stye
A stye is a very common eye infection affecting the edge of the eyelid or the eye. It appears like a tiny pimple or a boil, sometimes filled with puss. It could be caused due to a blockage in the follicles of the eyelid or a bacterial infection. Normally, it takes about 3-4 days to completely heal but sometimes longer. You’ll know it’s serious when the stye occurs again and again at the same spot and doesn’t disappear for a longer period of 2-3 months. Get it checked immediately as this could be a warning sign of a rare cancer like sebaceous gland carcinoma.
Watch out for these signs and protect your most valuable asset. It’s best to do regular eye-checkups and maintain a good eye health. We at Specsmakers help you do that. Visit your nearest specsmakers store to learn more.