While severe chest pains or a persistent cough are apparent indications of health issues, it’s important to remember that health problems sometimes manifest in more subtle ways. Your eyes, for example, can tell you a great deal about your overall well-being. Just like any change in appearance—what does the color of your eye say about you may be telling you something important.
1. Cloudy eye(s)
If you observe a clouding in the lens of your eye, the odds are that it’s a cataract. Not to worry—this can be fixed through surgery and is expected. There are about 20 million Americans over the age of 40 who have cataracts. In younger individuals, however, it’s more unusual. It may be related to diabetes, medication side effects, and possibly tumours.
2. Double vision
I you have double vision, it’s best to seek advice from your regular doctor and your eye doctor. This problem could indicate anything from a possible stroke to multiple sclerosis, migraines and cataracts.
3. Blood vessels
Clear red lines in the whites of your eyes are often caused by some irritant (like dust) or allergy. However, if they persist, this could mean you’re in a perpetual state of inflammation.
Any inflammation in the body has the potential to worsen existing conditions or trigger new ones, and the appearance of blood vessels in your eyes may mean you’re experiencing high blood pressure or could have diabetes.
4. Gray ring around the cornea
A grey ring around the cornea is also referred to as “arcus senilis”, and experts caution that it is likely linked to high cholesterol and triglycerides. Having high levels increase your risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack, so be sure to get a blood test that assesses change in blood lipids if you notice this change in your eyes.
5. Bulging eyes
Bulging eyes are typically linked to thyroid gland issues, such as Graves’ disease (associated with an overactive thyroid). In this instance, the eye muscles around the eye are crowded due to swelling, forcing the eyes to bulge forward. Furthermore, those with this disease may also experience weight loss, nervousness and an accelerated heart rate.
Although eyes that protrude (also known as “proptosis” or “exophthalmos”) are most likely related to Graves’ disease, Which shouldn’t rule out a benign tumour, experts say it’s scarce, but it can happen.
6. Sunken eyes
At the other end of the spectrum, sunken eyes look as though they’re nestled more profound in the eye socket. Experts explain that this is typically the result of a dehydrated body caused by high levels of caffeine found in coffee, fruit juices and sodas.
If you hardly ever drink water in addition to maintain this dietary lifestyle, the issue is compounded. Consider drinking more water throughout the day, and refrain from indulging in too many prepackaged juices and sodas high in sugar and don’t provide good nutritional value anyway.
7. Yellow eyes
When the whites of your eyes turn yellow, they’re considered to be jaundiced—a term that means you probably have bilirubin in your eye. Bilirubin is the result of old red blood cells breaking down.
Because the liver processes bilirubin before being eliminated from your body through a bowel movement, the appearance of a yellow tinge in your eye whites often is a telltale sign that liver issues exist.
8. Thinning eyebrows
The area around the eye—not just the actual eyeball itself—can also shed light on your overall health. For example, while it’s normal for brows to thin as you age, it is unusual for brows to thin in uneven proportions—especially at the ends closest to your ears. This often indicates thyroid problems; you may have an under or over-active thyroid.
Also Read: How To Get The Best Eyebrows At Home
Since this glad is essential in helping to regulate hormones and is associated with hair production, it makes sense that thinning brows could require taking a closer look at your thyroid function.
9. Under-eye “bags.”
Puffy, excess skin underneath each eye that tends to sag often means that fat has built up around the vision, caused in part by a weakening of the eyeball. As a result, outer layers of fat in the socket move forward and cause the appearance of “bags.”
Some experts suggest that this indicates kidney issues or excess salt in the diet, so be sure to eliminate toxins from your body by choosing healthy, fresh foods and watching salt intake.
10. Under-eye circles
Sleep, stress and poor diet are all associated with dark circles under the eyes. However, experts maintain that many factors may play a role—everything from genetics to leaking capillaries, liver problems, allergies, and iron deficiencies could cause dark circles.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so speak to a medical professional soon as you notice any changes in your appearance and take steps to improve your condition.
Also Read: Do You Know How to Get Lighter Eyes and Change Eye Color Naturally?
