The ophthalmologist told why it is absolutely not necessary to ignore these symptoms.
The phrase “eyes are the mirror of the soul”, although it sounds trite, is very true. They can tell you not only about your health, but also indicate more serious diseases, such as diabetes or high cholesterol levels. You can see most of these signs yourself, so long as you know what to look for.
Инфекции
If you wear contact lenses, look for white spots on your cornea. “This is a fairly common occurrence, it may indicate the presence of a corneal infection,” – says clinical representative of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Natalia Hertz.
Stress
One symptom of severe stress is myochemistry (twitching of the eyelid).
“Due to fatigue and insufficient sleep, the muscles around the eyes cannot relax,” says ophthalmologist Andrey Kuznetsov. – Even at night they are in constant tension. Improper wearing of lenses, unhealthy diet, lack of magnesium and B vitamins can also cause myokimia.
Sudden loss of vision
– If suddenly you stopped seeing the picture in front of you, then this may be a sign stroke, – says Andrey Kuznetsov. – Due to the fact that the blood flow to the brain does not go, the connection between the optic nerves is interrupted.
Swollen lower eyelids
– If the lower eyelid is swollen, and the inflammation does not go away within three days, then you should do an MRI, visit an ophtolmologist and a neurologist. This may indicate the presence of a tumor, – concluded the doctor.
Diabetes
Blurred vision indicates hyperopia or myopia. However, diabetes may be another cause of the blurry picture. According to a 2014 study, 74% of people with the condition have vision problems.
High cholesterol
Natalya Hertz warns that if you see a white ring on the cornea, you need to urgently get tested. After all, such a color change can indicate a high level cholesterol and triglycerides (fatty substances in the blood). These substances can cause heart attack or stroke.
Allergy
Dry eyes, dull skin around the eyes, watery eyes are signs of seasonal allergies.
– It is necessary to be examined and tested for allergens, – Andrey Kuznetsov shares.
Retinal problems
Many are already accustomed to the fact that sometimes stars fly by before their eyes. Perhaps this is due to a sharp change in posture, when the body does not have time to reorganize in space. However, Hertz argues that this can also speak of retinal detachment (The retinal nerve fibers, which are made up of photoreceptor cells, are detached from their backbone). This requires immediate surgical intervention. It is necessary to glue the area of the gap so finely that a scar is formed between the retina and the choroid. This is mainly done with cryopexy (exposure to cold) or laser photocoagulation (by therapeutic burn).
High pressure
– If you notice ruptured blood vessels on the retina of the eye, then this indicates high pressure – hypertensive retinopathy, – says the ophtolmologist. – Also, the reason may be conjunctivitis (infection) or physical strain. For example, this phenomenon can be observed in athletes or in women during childbirth.
Chronic fatigue
Swollen, reddened eyes and darkened sacs under them indicate overwork and lack of sleep. Complexion is also one of the indicators of health. If, after rest, these phenomena have not disappeared, you need to consult a doctor. Remember that chronic fatigue is fraught with pitfalls and can lead to serious illness.
An overabundance of sun
If you suddenly found pingvukula (yellow spot on the white of the eye), it is better to play it safe and check the fundus. This may be one of the signs of oncology. Also, a 2013 study showed that these spots can occur in those who spend a lot of time in the sun. Ultraviolet rays negatively affect the eyes and destroy their structure.
Jaundice
– Yellow whites of the eyes indicate infection with jaundice, – says ophthalmologist Andrei Kuznetsov. – This is evidenced by the high concentration bilirubin in the blood (a yellow compound arising from the destruction of red blood cells). It is important to have a blood test for hepatitis B. This is a life-threatening liver infection that can cause cirrhosis and cancer.
Eye strain
If you sit at the computer all day and do not see white light, then dry eyes cannot be avoided. Redness, itching, increased tearing suggests that you need to give your eyes a rest.
– Office workers should do simple ophthalmic gymnastics at least every two hours, – the doctor continues. – This is necessary to relieve tension. Self-massage of the collar of the zone is also encouraged to improve blood circulation. Always remove contact lenses at home.
Eye color changes
“If every day you notice that visual acuity is decreasing and the color of the eyes begins to change (the cornea or iris has become clouded), then you have injuries,” says the ophthalmologist. – It can be due to various tumors such as lymphoma.
Dull eyes
As a person ages, the surface of the eye may turn gray. This speaks of such a disease, like a cataract (clouding of the lens located inside the eyeball). There should be no darkening in a healthy lens. It is a transparent lens with which the image can be focused on the retina. The development of cataracts cannot be prevented in any way, but it can be slowed down. First, protect your eyes from bright sunlight – wear sunglasses. Second, drink vitamins and control your blood sugar.
Clinical Representative of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.