Your eyes are your gateway to the world. Without them, the world as you know it would be different. Some have called the eyes the window to the soul. Your eyes also say so much about your body’s health that they can’t be ignored.
If you read on, you’ll understand some of the things your eyes say about your overall health.
1. Sudden Blurred Vision
If you suddenly feel your sight getting blurry, then you’re probably facing a medical condition. Sudden blurred vision is believed to be commonly caused by insufficient blood flow to your eyes and the brain.
Some common medical conditions caused by sudden blurred vision are migraine headaches, diabetes, hypertension, impending stroke, and at times, an imminent heart problem. So even though your vision might get back to normal soon after, it’s always encouraged to visit the doctor to get checked up.
2. Redish Eyes
Red eyes are a common characteristic among people with lack of sufficient sleep, too much tension, or too much work. In addition, eyes can turn reddish if you’re exposed to too much sun, wind, or dust. Other reasons for red eyes include smoking, drinking alcohol, swimming, getting allergies, or sustaining injury.
There are various degrees of reddened eyes, but if your eyes redden without any particular reason, it may be a symptom of conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes, or intracranial pressure.
3. Dry Eyes
They say eyes that do not cry, do not see. If you don’t produce tears, you’re said to have dry eye syndrome. Dry eye syndrome is believed to result from conditions like hormonal imbalance.
Qualified medical professionals like Coastal Eye Surgeons and many others can determine the underlying conditions causing dry eyes. Nonetheless, it’s believed that when you have dry eyes, you could be suffering from one of the following conditions:
- Fatigue
- Menopause
- Allergies
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Collagen vascular diseases
4. Yellow Eye Whites
Eye whites are meant to be white. When your eyes turn a different color, then you must know something is amiss. Yellow eyes are often referred to as jaundice. Jaundice is reported to be caused by an excessive amount of bilirubin. This is a yellow pigment used to break down red blood cells in the liver.
Yellow eye whites are believed to indicate medical conditions like the decreased function of some vital body organs like the liver and bile ducts. Some potentially serious indications of jaundice include hepatitis, gallstones and tumors.
5. A Yellow Spot Near The Iris
If you notice a yellowish spot near the iris part of the eye, don’t be too alarmed. It’s probably a pinguecula. Pingueculas normally occur in elderly people and are a sign of the aging of the eyes.
In younger people, a pinguecula could be a sign that one is spending too much time in the sun. Pingueculas are said to be intensified by prolonged exposure to UV rays. They could also occur when your eyes are systematically irritated by environmental elements like wind, dust, and smoke.
6. Puffy Red Eyes
If your eyes appear puffy and red, then you’re probably fatigued. Red puffy eyes are said to be an indication of insufficient sleep. Red and puffy eyes could also mean you’re under a lot of stress. If you have red puffy eyes, try to get lots of rest and refreshment to allow your body to rejuvenate.
Puffy eye pockets can also be a sign of conditions such as edema. Edema is a condition caused by the accumulation of fluids in the skin around the eyes. Puffy eyes could generally be a sign of factors including:
- Consumption of too much salt
- Sinus problems
- Dehydration
- Crying
- Fatigue
- Aging
7. Swollen Eyelids
Unlike puffy eyes, which aren’t always due to serious medical conditions, swollen eyelids often indicate an underlying medical problem. Swollen eyelids are normally a sign of the following diseases:
- Thyroid eye disease
- Blepharochalasis (eyelid inflammation)
- Eye infections
- Kidney failure
- Allergies
It’s nonetheless important not to jump to conclusions if you have swollen eyelids. Only qualified medical personnel can diagnose if there’s a problem.
8. Bulging Eyes
Apart from looking animated, bulging eyes may indicate more serious health concerns. For example, if you or a loved one has bulging eyes, accompanied by double vision, you or them might be suffering from Graves’ disease. This condition causes the thyroid gland to produce too many hormones, which can lead to eye-bulging.
9. Bloodshot Eyes
Bloodshot eyes normally occur when the tiny blood vessels on the eye’s surface become congested with blood. They’re usually nothing to worry too much about, but if they’re accompanied by pain or affected vision, then it could indicate a more serious underlying medical condition.
Bloodshot eyes could mean any of the following conditions:
- Conjunctivitis – mostly caused by viruses that are spread by the hands
- Allergies – mostly caused by pollens or dust particles
- Corneal ulcer – an open sore in the eye, which is commonly caused by bacteria
10. Twitching Eyes
Twitching eyes are very common, and almost always harmless. However, they’ve been said to be linked to fatigue, alcohol consumption, too much caffeine, lack of sleep, stress, and smoking. Eye twitching normally resolves itself. You may, however, need to worry about it if other symptoms, like lack of coordination, accompany it.
Conclusion
They say your eyes are the window to your soul, but they’re a lot more than that. Apart from giving you sight and perspective, your eyes say a lot about what’s going on in your body. So never take the signs discussed here for granted, for they might just save your life. But also remember never to make assumptions; always consult medical professionals if you suspect something is amiss.
