Joel Callen
Eye Care

5 health clues from your eyes

Your eyes are the window to your soul… as well as to signs of certain health problems. Eyes can signal health problems going elsewhere in the body so here are five you should be aware of.

You’re stressed.

Blurred vision could be indicator of high stress level. When you’re stressed, fluid builds up under the retina, which can cause blurred and fuzzy vision. A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that one-third of subjects suffering from this temporary eye disease, Central Serous Retinopathy, had been under "elevated stress" before being diagnosed. Luckily, the condition is temporary and resolves itself within a few months.

You have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure changes the colour of retina’s blood vessels to silver or copper, which can signal problems with the bigger vessels that supply blood to the major organs like the heart and brain. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found retinal changes were linked to elevated risk of heart failure.

You have diabetes.

Leaky blood vessels in the eyes could indicate you have diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar levels can clog and damage blood vessels causing them to become weak and leak. These problems can be identified during your usual eye exam so be sure to get your eye professional to check.

Related link: Simple massages to relieve tired eyes

You have melanoma.

A tiny raised mole on the eye can indicate melanoma of the eye. It’s crucial to diagnose it early as it has no other symptoms.

You have an allergy.

If you can see swollen blood vessels on the whites of eyes, it could be allergy to airborne allergens such as pollen, dust or animal dander. Your eyes secrete anti-inflammatory histamines to counter and protect itself but the process can lead to red, itchy, watery eyes,

Related links:

4 vitamins you should take for good eye health

5 tips for healthy eyes in a digital world

Why you SHOULD be doing eye yoga

Tags:
health, eyecare, warning