Why Eye Health Isn’t All About Vision

Do you know that your eyes can tell a lot about your health? It is not far from the common saying that the eyes are the window to one’s soul. Your eye health doesn’t only reflect your vision but also your wellbeing. The following health detriments cause symptoms that affect eye health:

Diabetes

High sugar levels in the blood can lead to diabetic retinopathy when not regulated. The reason is that high blood sugar levels cause leakage of the small blood vessels. Moreover, blood leaks can cause blurry vision and color blindness. As diabetic retinopathy escalates, new blood vessels grow in the retina, aggravating visual issues. Therefore, diabetic retinopathy should be treated as soon as possible to avoid permanent vision impairment.

Dry eye syndrome is another eye condition associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, the best dry eye solution is now accessible to slow down or stop the progression of this eye condition.

Heart disease

Heart disease also affects the blood vessels in the eye. So, any changes in your retina’s vessels like narrowing or swelling are signs of heart disease. Consult a health care professional to have a proper diagnosis of your condition. To avoid developing heart diseases, you should eat healthy and balanced meals, exercise, and make the necessary lifestyle changes.

High cholesterol

When the artery narrows, it might be due to cholesterol plaques lining the artery. You shouldn’t ignore this symptom as it might further lead to a heart attack. In some cases, fat deposits due to high cholesterol levels surround the corneas with a complete or partial white ring. Cholesterol problems are most common for older people.

Liver damage, hepatitis, gallstones, and tumors

The white of your eyes gradually turning yellow is a symptom of jaundice, a condition associated with various health conditions like tumors, liver damage, gallstones, hepatitis, etc. Jaundice happens when the liver makes an abnormal amount of bilirubin due to damage or inflammation. Among the causes of liver damage or inflammation are genetic diseases, viruses, autoimmune disorders, or alcohol abuse.

Brain and nerve conditions

Stress, fatigue, and eye irritation can cause eye twitches. Most eye twitches might not indicate a severe problem. But, this symptom is associated with nerve or brain conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, Bell’s palsy, or multiple sclerosis. Protect your health and vision by visiting your health care provider for regular checkups.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Inflammation of the iris usually occurs when a person has ankylosing spondylitis. When the iris is inflamed, it looks red, feels painful, and is very sensitive to light. Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that causes the bones in the spine to fuse. The pain it causes begins in the lower area of the back then, later on, reaches your hips, ribs, heels, shoulders, and neck.

Final thoughts

To sum it up, your eyes can reveal a lot about your health. If you experience any problem or changes in your eyes, get an eye examination from a professional right away. It is also best to get a comprehensive physical examination to determine whether there are other issues that require attention aside from your eyes’ condition.

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