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 enhancing the colour, shape and size of (a woman’s) 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) |
Potential Disease or Condition |
|
1 |
Blind spot Accompanied with flickering lights or wavy lines
|
Ocular migraine (may lead to loss of vision) |
|
2 |
Bloody eye(s) White-of-the-eye (sclera) has red spots |
High blood pressure, Clotting disorder |
|
3 |
Brown spot(s) A bump with blood vessels, often on the lower eyelid |
Tumour (abnormal growth which may be cancerous) |
|
4 |
Bug eye(s) Bulging eyes with swollen eye tissue |
Thyroid disease (hyperactive thyroid) |
|
5 |
Bumpy yellowish patches Small yellow spots on the eyelid |
High Cholesterol |
|
6 |
Burning eyes Stinging in the eyes with blurred vision during computer use |
Computer vision syndrome (CVS) |
|
7 |
Cloudy eye(s) Clouding of the lens with hazy vision
|
Cataracts (may cause blindness), Tumour, Diabetes, Medication side-effect |
|
8 |
Colour confusion Reds and greens are unclear |
Colour blindness |
|
9 |
Crossed eye(s) One or both eyes turn inwards |
Intraocular tumour, Neurologic disorder |
|
10 |
Double vision Seeing double images
|
Stroke (sudden), Multiple Sclerosis (neurodegeneration) |
|
11 |
Droopy eyes Eyelids are droopy |
Brain tumour, Myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disorder) |
|
12 |
Dry eye(s) Especially in 40+ women with autoimmune conditions and affecting the mouth such that absence of saliva makes chewing and swallowing difficult |
Sjogren’s syndrome (immune cells damage tears and saliva producing glands) |
|
13 |
Golden brown or greenish yellow ring Coloured ring on the cornea, surrounding the iris
|
Wilson’s disease (excess copper collects in tissues, may lead to liver disease) |
|
14 |
Grey or milky-white ring Coloured ring on the cornea, surrounding the iris |
High cholesterol and triglycerides, Increased heart attack and stroke risk |
|
15 |
Increased eye-gunk Eyelid edges are red and itchy
|
Dandruff, Acne rosacea |
|
16 |
Large eye One eye appears larger (generally in children)
|
Glaucoma (damaged optic nerve), Tumour, Infection |
|
17 |
Persistent stye Reddish lumps, on the eyelid, present for more than 3 months |
Tumour, possibly cancerous |
|
18 |
Pink eye White-of-the-eye (sclera) is pink or light-red |
Conjunctivitis (eye infection) |
|
19 |
Pupil size different Different size pupils and droopy eyelids |
Horner’s syndrome (nervous system disorder), Neck aneurysms (blood-filled bulge in blood vessel) and tumours |
|
20 |
Red, itchy eyes Along with sneezing, coughing, sinus congestion or runny nose |
Allergic reaction |
|
21 |
Unable to close eye(s) or control tears Often one side of the face is weak and droops
|
Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis due to dysfunctional cranial nerve VII) |
|
22 |
Vanishing eyebrows Outer part of eyebrows disappear |
Thyroid disease (underactive thyroid) |
|
23 |
Yellow eye(s) White-of-the-eye (sclera) is yellow |
Liver diseases such as jaundice, hepatitis and cirrhosis |
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 high-vitamin C) foods.
|
Food |
Nutrient |
|
Carrot, Sweet Potatoes, Yams |
Beta-carotene |
|
Mangoes, Apricots, Pumpkin |
Beta-carotene |
|
Spinach and other green leafy vegetables |
Carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) |
|
Beans |
Vitamin C, Antioxidant, Zinc |
|
Broccoli |
Vitamin C, Antioxidant, Carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) |
|
Fish (salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel) |
Omega-3 fatty acids |
|
Fortified Milk and Cereals |
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
A few eye health information resources:
First Published: Aug 23, 2012 at 12:37 PM
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