What your eyes could indicate about your health

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Dr Poonam Kuruganti, Aug 23, 2012 at 12:37 PM

Tags: beta-carotene, Bloody eyes, Carrot, Eye disorder, Eye symptoms, Eyes, Hypermetropia, Macular degeneration, Migraine, Myopia

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There is a road from the eye to heart that does not go through the intellect. - G. K. Chesterton

Eyes have inspired poetry and philosophy for time immemorial and are arguably the most attractive human facial feature. The cosmetic industry thrives on enhanc ing the colour, shape and size of (a womans) eyes, eyelids, eyelashes and eyebrows. In simple terms the much-celebrated and decorated eyes - a window to the soul - receive information as light and express information as a spectrum of emotions .

Each eye is composed of 3 layers of which the partially visible, outermost layer is made up of the cornea and sclera. Iris is the colourful component of the middle layer and the retina forms a major component of the innermost layer. The eyes are connected to the brain (optic lobe) by a pair of optic nerves that relay messages between the eyes and brain.

Any visit to the doctor includes a general eye check-up which one should undergo at least once or twice a year. A visit to the optician or ophthalmologist involves a series of tests that assess the internal health of the eyes which may further provide evidence of other diseases. More than just being a window to the soul here are some outward clues your eyes can give for potentially serious disease(s) and condition(s).

No. Observation (Sign or Symptom) 1 Blind spot

Potential Disease or Condition Ocular migraine (may lead to loss of vision)

Accompanied with flickering lights or wavy lines 2 Bloody eye(s) High blood pressure, Clotting disorder

White-of-the-eye (sclera) has red spots 3 Brown spot(s) Tumour (abnormal growth which may be cancerous) A bump with blood vessels, often on the lower eyelid 4 Bug eye(s) Thyroid disease (hyperactive thyroid)

Bulging eyes with swollen eye tissue 5 Bumpy yellowish patches High Cholesterol

Small yellow spots on the eyelid 6 Burning eyes Computer vision syndrome (CVS)

Stinging in the eyes with blurred vision during computer

use 7 Cloudy eye(s) Cataracts (may cause blindness), Tumour, Diabetes, Medication side-effect Clouding of the lens with hazy vision 8 Colour confusion Colour blindness

Reds and greens are unclear 9 Crossed eye(s) Intraocular tumour, Neurologic disorder

One or both eyes turn inwards 10 Double vision Stroke (sudden), Multiple Sclerosis (neurodegeneration) Seeing double images 11 Droopy eyes Brain tumour, Myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disorder) Eyelids are droopy 12 Dry eye(s) Sjogrens syndrome (immune cells damage tears and saliva producing glands) Especially in 40+ women with autoimmune conditions and affecting the mouth such that absence of saliva makes chewing and swallowing difficult 13 Golden brown or greenish yellow ring Wilsons disease (excess copper collects in tissues, may lead to liver disease) Coloured ring on the cornea, surrounding the iris 14 Grey or milky-white ring High cholesterol and triglycerides, Increased heart attack and stroke risk Coloured ring on the cornea, surrounding the iris 15 Increased eye-gunk Dandruff, Acne rosacea

Eyelid edges are red and itchy 16 Large eye Glaucoma (damaged optic nerve), Tumour, Infection One eye appears larger (generally in children) 17 Persistent stye Tumour, possibly cancerous

Reddish lumps, on the eyelid, present for more than 3 months

18 Pink eye

Conjunctivitis (eye infection)

White-of-the-eye (sclera) is pink or light-red 19 Pupil size different Horners syndrome (nervous system disorder), Neck aneurysms (blood-filled bulge in blood Different size pupils and droopy eyelids 20 Red, itchy eyes vessel) and tumours Allergic reaction

Along with sneezing, coughing, sinus congestion or runny nose 21 Unable to close eye(s) or control tears Bells palsy (facial paralysis due to dysfunctional cranial nerve VII) Often one side of the face is weak and droops 22 Vanishing eyebrows Thyroid disease (underactive thyroid)

Outer part of eyebrows disappear 23 Yellow eye(s) Liver diseases such as jaundice, hepatitis and cirrhosis White-of-the-eye (sclera) is yellow

Common eye disorders, other than short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hypermetropia) include macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, dry eyes and weakened night vision. Myopia and hypermetropia are corrected by wearing eye glasses or contact lenses but other eye disorders require medication and/or surgical treatment.

Most of us are aware of the direct relationship between vitamin A, plus its cousin beta-carotene, and good vision. Vitamin A and beta carotene belong to a class of plant food compounds known as carotenoids which are strong antioxidants. Other nutrients essential for good eye health include antioxidant-rich (particularly highvitamin C) foods.

Food Carrot, Sweet Potatoes, Yams Mangoes, Apricots, Pumpkin Spinach and other green leafy vegetables Beans

Nutrient Beta-carotene Beta-carotene Carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) Vitamin C, Antioxidant, Zinc

Broccoli

Vitamin C, Antioxidant, Carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin)

Fish (salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel) Fortified Milk and Cereals

Omega-3 fatty acids Vitamin A

Besides good nutrition, the following preventive habits further protect eyes:

Go for regular eye exams including complete dilated eye test to detect early-stage diabetic eye disorder and macular degeneration. Be aware of eye health disorders within the family to proactively protect against hereditary eye conditions. Maintain healthy body weight to reduce the probability of developing diabetic eye or glaucoma. Protect your eyes in hazardous environments (under extreme sunlight, sports, etc.) by using sunglasses and safety gear such as shields and eye guards. Stop smoking since it increases the possibility of eye-damage including blindness. Reduce eye-strain by frequently resting your eyes using the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds, look at a 20 feet distance away from you. Avoid eye-infections by always washing your hands before touching your eyes or contact lenses.

Take good care of your eyes.

The eye speaks with an eloquence and truthfulness surpassing speech. It is the window out of which the winged thoughts often fly unwittingly. It is the tiny magic mirror on whose crystal surface the moods of feeling fitfully play, like the sunlight and shadow on a still stream. Henry Theodore Tuckerman

Courtesy Health.india.com