They say the eyes are the mirror of the soul… but it turns out they are also the mirror of your body! Sometimes, before you start sneezing, coughing, or feeling sick, your eyes are raising their hand to warn you that something is wrong.
Blurred vision? Yellow eyes? A nervous twitch that only happens when you have to speak in public?
Beyond fatigue or everyday drama, these symptoms could be saying, “Watch out! There’s something bigger going on here.”
In this article, we’ll explore 12 signs your eyes may be sending you about your overall health that you definitely shouldn’t ignore. Spoiler alert!
Some have to do with chronic disease, some have to do with your lifestyle (hello, modern-day stress), and some could be the clue you’re missing to spot a problem before it becomes more serious. Content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Seek guidance from your doctor regarding your health and medical conditions.
1.
Sudden blurred vision.
Have you ever had the sudden sensation of seeing as if you were underwater? Sometimes it’s fatigue, but if blurred vision comes on suddenly and doesn’t go away, it could be a warning sign of something more serious. It could indicate diabetes, high blood pressure, or even a transient cerebrovascular accident (mini stroke).
For example, diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the retina (diabetic retinopathy), which can affect vision. If this symptom lasts more than 24 hours, it is time to see a specialist.
2.
Yellow eyes (jaundice).
When the whites of your eyes (sclera) turn yellow, your liver is probably calling for help. This is usually due to jaundice, which occurs when bilirubin builds up in the blood. It can be a symptom of hepatitis, cirrhosis, or gallbladder problems.
If you notice this change in your eyes, don’t ignore it.
3. Endlessly shaking eyelid.
That twitch in your eye that happens just when you have a thousand things on your plate…
yes, it can be stress, but it can also be lack of sleep, excessive caffeine, or magnesium deficiency. It usually goes away on its own, but if it persists for weeks, it could be a sign of a neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis.
4.
Dry or watery eyes.
If you feel like you have dust in your eyes all day, it may be more than just a nuisance. Dry eye syndrome occurs when we don’t produce enough tears and can be linked to autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome. In addition, overuse of digital screens causes us to blink less, which can make dryness worse.
5. Loss of peripheral vision.
Have you noticed that you have trouble seeing from the side and didn’t realize it until someone pointed it out to you? This could be an early symptom of glaucoma, a silent disease that damages the optic nerve.
Because it progresses without obvious symptoms, many people discover it when irreversible damage has already occurred. Fortunately, an eye exam can detect it early.
6.
Black spots or flashing lights.
Those little spots or dots that seem to move when you try to focus on them are called myodesopsias, and they are usually harmless when they appear a little at a time. BUT… if you suddenly see many more than usual, or if they are accompanied by flashes of lightning, they may be a sign of something serious: retinal detachment.
This is an urgent problem: the retina (which is like the screen where we “see” images) detaches from its place, and if it is not treated immediately, you can lose vision in that eye. So if you’d better see an ophthalmologist.
7.
Bulging eyes (exophthalmia).
Do your eyes seem more bulging or prominent than normal, as if you are always being surprised? This appearance may be a classic symptom of Graves’ disease, a type of autoimmune hyperthyroidism. In this disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues behind the eye, pushing them outward.
In addition to the physical change, you may experience eye pressure, double vi
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