The eyes are like windows to the soul. They are also a direct window into your overall health. Your eyes are the place in the human body where doctors can see your blood vessels, nerves and connective tissues without making a cut.
Because of this comprehensive eye exams can show a lot more than whether you need new glasses. Changes in your vision or the way your eyes look can be signs of health problems in other parts of your body.
Many of us ignore vision problems thinking they are just from being tired stressed or getting older.. Some vision problems are serious warning signs. If your eyes are warning you you should listen, because it could save your sight or even your life.
Here are the 5 silent signs your eyes are showing you that you should never ignore.
- A Sudden Onset of Blurry Vision or Vision Loss
We often think blurry vision means we need to update our glasses.. If your vision gets blurry all of a sudden or you get double vision or you lose your vision in one or both eyes that is a serious medical emergency.
What It Could Mean:
Your eyes are warning you of a stroke or a mini-stroke. This happens when the blood flow to the brain or the optic nerve is blocked. Your eyes are also warning you of retinopathy which is when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina. Your eyes are warning you of hypertension, which’s when high blood pressure damages the blood vessels in the retina.
What You Should Do:
Do not wait to see if your vision gets better. If you lose your sight or get blurring go to the emergency room right away. Time is very important especially if the cause is vascular or neurological.
- An Influx of Floaters, Flashes of Light or a Grey Shadow
Most people see floaters sometimes which are transparent spots that drift across your vision.. If you see a lot of new floaters or flashes of light or a grey shadow that is a major warning sign.
What It Could Mean:
Your eyes are warning you of detachment, which is when the retina tears or detaches from the back of the eye. Your eyes are also warning you of a “curtain” over your vision, which’s when a dark grey shadow falls over part of your vision.
What You Should Do:
Retinal detachment is an emergency. If you get treatment away usually with laser surgery you can save your sight.. If you ignore it you could go blind in a matter of days.
- A Yellowing of the Whites of Your Eyes
The whites of your eyes should be white. If they turn yellow that is a warning sign.
What It Could Mean:
Your eyes are warning you of liver disease, which’s when the liver is inflamed, damaged or failing. Your eyes are warning you of organ dysfunction, which’s when the liver cannot filter out a yellowish compound called bilirubin. Your eyes are also warning you of gallbladder or pancreas issues.
What You Should Do:
Jaundice is never something you should ignore. You should get blood work and a physical exam to find out what is causing the problem.
- Bulging or Protruding Eyes
If your eyes are bulging out or you cannot close your eyelids all the way that is a warning sign.
What It Could Mean:
Your eyes are warning you of thyroid eye disease, which’s when the thyroid gland is overactive. Your eyes are warning you of Graves disease, which’s an autoimmune condition that causes the thyroid gland to overproduce hormones.
What You Should Do:
You should see an eye doctor and a general doctor or endocrinologist. They can run a thyroid test. Prescribe medication to regulate your thyroid and reduce the inflammation behind your eyes.
- A Grey or White Ring Around the Cornea
If you see a grey or white ring around the part of your eye that is a warning sign.
What It Could Mean:
Your eyes are warning you of cholesterol and triglycerides which is when there are too many lipids in the blood. Your eyes are warning you of risk, which is when you are at risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.
What You Should Do:
If you see this ring and you are under 45 or if you have a family history of heart disease you should see your doctor. Get a lipid panel. You can manage your cholesterol with diet, exercise and medication. Reduce your risk of heart problems.
The Importance of Preventative Eye Care
Your body can tell you when something is wrong and your eyes are often the first to warn you. The key to protecting your vision and your health is to take care of your eyes.
Even if you have vision and do not need glasses you should get a comprehensive eye exam every two years. If you have health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure you should see an eye doctor every year.
During an eye exam a doctor can look into your eyes and spot the earliest signs of health problems. You can catch illnesses before you even notice a problem.
We rely on our eyes for everything. We often take their health for granted. By paying attention to these 5 signs. Sudden blurriness, an influx of floaters yellowing of the sclera bulging or cloudy rings around the cornea. You can catch serious health problems early.
Never ignore a change, in your vision. When your eyes are warning you you should. Take action. Consult a professional right away. Your eyes are warning you for a reason.