Your eyes - What do they say about your health?
Jan 11, 2009
WHEN your eyes produce certain symptoms, it is usually a sign of serious conditions. It is important to seek medical attention so as to protect your eyes, the window to your soul. Watch out for the following:
By Fred Ouma
WHEN your eyes produce certain symptoms, it is usually a sign of serious conditions. It is important to seek medical attention so as to protect your eyes, the window to your soul. Watch out for the following:
Yellow eyes
According to Sam Wambuzi, an eye care specialist at Eye Care Centre, yellow eyes are a serious cause for concern. He says hepatitis, a serious inflammation of the liver, causes the eyes to turn yellowish.
The discolouration is uniform over the sciera, the white part of the eye. Since there are several types of hepatitis, most of which can be prevented by appropriate immunisations, he advises getting examined by a physician immediately.
Dry eyes
Although having dry eyes is a normal part of the aging process, according to Wambuzi, if your eyes continuously feel dry, scratchy or burn, this is primarily due to inadequate tears.
He says this means a decrease in the quality of life since patients cannot stay up late, read for long or be in the wind or a smoky environment. If the dry eye sensation continues, Wambuzi says, see a doctor who will most likely prescribe an eye drop to help produce more tears.
Tearing
Despite being the opposite of dry eyes, tearing may be attributed to having deficient tears as well. It may also be due to corneal problems or eyelash/eyelid disease.
Dr. Ben Watmon, an ophthalmologist (eye specialist), says there are several medications for this. If there is no pain and the vision is normal, patients should be examined at a later date. However, if there is pain, they should be examined immediately as there may be a foreign body, scratch, infection or inflammation causing the tearing.
Bulging eyes
According to Dr. Willy Andima, a consultant ophthalmologist, bulging eyes are common with thyroid disease. Bulging may affect one eye or both and is due to the enlargement of the muscles surrounding the eyes. He says it can also be the first sign of other diseases such as a tumour behind the eye or metastic cancer.
Double vision
Double vision may occur in one or both eyes. Wambuzi says double vision could be a result of corneal irregularities, cataracts, dislocated lenses or retinal diseases.
When it occurs in both eyes, this is cause for concern as it could be related to thyroid diseases, cranial nerve diseases or brain tumours. Patients should see an opthalmologist.
Seeing halos
Dr. Andima says sometimes patients see circles of light. Wambuzi adds that if there is pain and loss of vision, the patient should see an eye doctor immediately. “The cause could be cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease and over-use of contact lenses,†he says.
Bloodshot eyes
If your eyes are red and you are experiencing pain, pus discharge or a reduction of vision that lasts more than a week to 10 days, experts strongly recommend seeing a doctor. Anything associated with reduction in vision needs immediate attention.
This could equate to hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) which often affects the eye; other symptoms include congested eyes which appear swollen. An ophthalmologist can often easily distinguish the difference between hyperthyroidism and eye allergy and irritation.
Styes
If you have a stye that is painful and swollen, Wambuzi says it could progress into other problems if it goes untreated. “We also have to think about various types of cancers of the eyelid which can present like a stye,†he adds. If significant pain and swelling persists, seek care as soon as possible.
Dots and spots
Tiny objects may resemble small dots or strings. Wambuzi explains that these objects are called floaters; in children they represent small protein particles remaining from the formation of the eye.
In middle-aged and older adults, they represent normal aging.
He says sudden increases that appear in hundreds of small black particles may be a sign of a retinal tear or a retina detachment.
Serious cause for concern is when floaters occur with bright, short duration or with eye movement. Experts recommend seeing a doctor.
WHEN your eyes produce certain symptoms, it is usually a sign of serious conditions. It is important to seek medical attention so as to protect your eyes, the window to your soul. Watch out for the following:
Yellow eyes
According to Sam Wambuzi, an eye care specialist at Eye Care Centre, yellow eyes are a serious cause for concern. He says hepatitis, a serious inflammation of the liver, causes the eyes to turn yellowish.
The discolouration is uniform over the sciera, the white part of the eye. Since there are several types of hepatitis, most of which can be prevented by appropriate immunisations, he advises getting examined by a physician immediately.
Dry eyes
Although having dry eyes is a normal part of the aging process, according to Wambuzi, if your eyes continuously feel dry, scratchy or burn, this is primarily due to inadequate tears.
He says this means a decrease in the quality of life since patients cannot stay up late, read for long or be in the wind or a smoky environment. If the dry eye sensation continues, Wambuzi says, see a doctor who will most likely prescribe an eye drop to help produce more tears.
Tearing
Despite being the opposite of dry eyes, tearing may be attributed to having deficient tears as well. It may also be due to corneal problems or eyelash/eyelid disease.
Dr. Ben Watmon, an ophthalmologist (eye specialist), says there are several medications for this. If there is no pain and the vision is normal, patients should be examined at a later date. However, if there is pain, they should be examined immediately as there may be a foreign body, scratch, infection or inflammation causing the tearing.
Bulging eyes
According to Dr. Willy Andima, a consultant ophthalmologist, bulging eyes are common with thyroid disease. Bulging may affect one eye or both and is due to the enlargement of the muscles surrounding the eyes. He says it can also be the first sign of other diseases such as a tumour behind the eye or metastic cancer.
Double vision
Double vision may occur in one or both eyes. Wambuzi says double vision could be a result of corneal irregularities, cataracts, dislocated lenses or retinal diseases.
When it occurs in both eyes, this is cause for concern as it could be related to thyroid diseases, cranial nerve diseases or brain tumours. Patients should see an opthalmologist.
Seeing halos
Dr. Andima says sometimes patients see circles of light. Wambuzi adds that if there is pain and loss of vision, the patient should see an eye doctor immediately. “The cause could be cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease and over-use of contact lenses,†he says.
Bloodshot eyes
If your eyes are red and you are experiencing pain, pus discharge or a reduction of vision that lasts more than a week to 10 days, experts strongly recommend seeing a doctor. Anything associated with reduction in vision needs immediate attention.
This could equate to hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) which often affects the eye; other symptoms include congested eyes which appear swollen. An ophthalmologist can often easily distinguish the difference between hyperthyroidism and eye allergy and irritation.
Styes
If you have a stye that is painful and swollen, Wambuzi says it could progress into other problems if it goes untreated. “We also have to think about various types of cancers of the eyelid which can present like a stye,†he adds. If significant pain and swelling persists, seek care as soon as possible.
Dots and spots
Tiny objects may resemble small dots or strings. Wambuzi explains that these objects are called floaters; in children they represent small protein particles remaining from the formation of the eye.
In middle-aged and older adults, they represent normal aging.
He says sudden increases that appear in hundreds of small black particles may be a sign of a retinal tear or a retina detachment.
Serious cause for concern is when floaters occur with bright, short duration or with eye movement. Experts recommend seeing a doctor.