Many say that your eyes are the window to your soul, but they also provide a glimpse into your overall health.
What Your Eyes Say about Your Health
Red, itchy, teary eyes
Red, teary eyes that itch all of the time are a sure sign of allergies to pollen, animal fur, dust mites, makeup, or eye drops.
White spots on the front of your eye
White spots on the clear layer over the front of your eye, known as the cornea, could be a sign of corneal infection. This is especially true if you wear contacts.
Twitchy eye
Eye twitching can be a sign of fatigue, stress, and consuming too much caffeine; it can be a side effect of some medications too. A twitchy eye might also be a sign of a more serious condition, such as pinkeye (conjunctivitis), inflamed eyelids (blepharitis), dry eyes, or light sensitivity. In very rare cases, a twitching eye can be a sign of Bell’s palsy, Parkinson’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, and a condition in which someone’s muscles contract uncontrollably, known as dystonia.
Blurred vision
Blurred vision is a common symptom of a number of eye problems, including cataracts and macular degeneration, but it can also be a symptom of diabetes.
White ring around the iris
A white ring around your iris, which is the colored part of the eye, can be a sign that you are getting older – it can also be a sign of high cholesterol.
Damaged blood vessels in your retina
While you cannot see damaged blood vessels in the light-sensitive layer lining the inside of your eye, your eye doctor can– and having damaged blood vessels in your retina is a sign of high blood pressure.
Puffy red eyes
Puffy and red eyes are telling the world that you have not been getting enough sleep lately.
Yellowish patch or bump on the whites of your eye
That little patch of discoloration or tiny bump on the whites of your eye says that you have spent a lot of time in the sun. Eye doctors refer to it as a pinguecula; it is usually harmless, but a very small percentage of them can be pre-cancerous.
The whites of your eyes are yellow
If the whites of your eyes are turning yellow, you may have alcohol-related liver disease, hepatitis, or something blocking your bile ducts, such as cancer or gallstones. Yellowing of the eyes and skin, known as jaundice, happens when your liver has a hard time doing its job.
If you experience any of these eye problems, consult with the eye care professionals at Illinois Eye Center. Our caring professionals can determine the source of the problem and recommend a course of treatment.
