Looking people straight in the eye may or may not reveal their honesty but the eyes *can* tell you about cholesterol, liver disease, or diabetes, if you know what to look for.
"The
eye is a unique window into health,
It's the only place in the body where, without surgery, we can look in
and see veins, arteries, and a nerve (the optic nerve)."
The
eyes' transparency explains why common eye diseases such as glaucoma,
cataracts, and macular degeneration can be detected early with regular eye
exams.
Unfortunately,
people get busy and delay not only eye exams but regular physicals. That's why
eye doctors sometimes discover other issues, like diabetes or high blood
pressure. Especially vulnerable people like caregivers, who worry about others around them while neglecting care for themselves.
What
it means: Shaved eyebrows are a fad (or fashion, if you will) in some
circles. But when the outer third of the brow (the part closest to the ears)
starts to disappear on its own, this is a common sign of thyroid disease
either hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) or hypothyroidism
(underactive thyroid gland). The thyroid is a small but critical gland that
helps regulate metabolism, and thyroid hormones are among those critical to
hair production.
More
clues: Brows tend to thin with age naturally. But with thyroid disease,
the brow-hair loss isn't evenly distributed; it's a selective dropout on the
ends. There's usually a loss of hair elsewhere on the body, too, but the brows
are so prominent, it's often noticed here first. Early graying is a related
sign of a thyroid problem. Women are more often affected than men, and
hyperthyroidism especially strikes women in their 20s and 30s.
What
to do: Mention this symptom to a dermatologist or your regular doctor.
Most other symptoms of both hyper- and hypothyroidism are notoriously broad and
general. Before you see a doctor, make note of any other changes you've
noticed, possibly concerning weight, energy levels, bowel or menstrual
regularity, mood, or skin changes.
What
it means: The vast majority of the time, a small, raised, often reddish
bump along the inner or outer eyelid margin is just an unsightly but innocuous
stye (also called a "chalazion"). But if the spot doesn't clear up in
three months, or seems to keep recurring in the same location, it can also be a
rare cancer (sebaceous gland carcinoma).
More
clues: Actual styes are plugged-up oil glands at the eyelash follicle.
Fairly common, they tend to clear up within a month. A cancerous cyst that
mimics a stye, on the other hand, doesn't go away. (Or it may seem to go away
but return in the same spot.) Another eyelid cancer warning sign: Loss of some of the
eyelashes around the stye.
What
to do: Point out a persistent stye to an ophthalmologist (a medical
doctor who specializes in the eye). A biopsy can confirm the diagnosis. The
stye is usually removed surgically
What
it means: Xanthelasma palpebra, the medical name for these tiny
yellow bumps, are usually a warning that you may have high cholesterol. They're
also called "cholesterol bumps" -- they're basically fatty deposits.
More
clues: Sometimes people mistake these bumps for a stye, but with
xanthelasma, there tends to be more than one bump and they're quite small.
What
to do: See your doctor or a skin or eye specialist. A diagnosis can
usually be made by sight. An ophthalmologist can also examine the eye and see
deposits; for this reason, in fact, sometimes high cholesterol is first
diagnosed during a routine eye exam. The problem usually isn't serious and doesn't
cause pain or vision problems. A physician will also evaluate you for other
signs of coronary artery disease.
What
it means: You might be a workaholic, and you definitely have
"computer vision syndrome" (CVS). The eyestrain is partly caused by
the lack of contrast on a computer screen (compared with ink on paper) and the
extra work involved in focusing on pixels of light. What's more, by midlife the
eyes lose some of their ability to produce lubricating tears. Irritation sets
in, adding to blurriness and discomfort.
More
clues: Does the problem worsen in the afternoon (when the eyes tend to
become drier)? Is it worse when you're reading fine print (more eyestrain)?
People who wear glasses or contacts tend to be bothered more by CVS.
Sometimes the problem is made worse by a fan positioned so it blows right
in the face, noting that the air further dries
tired eyes.
What
to do: Reduce glare by closing window shades, investing in a computer
hood, or checking out antireflective coating for your glasses (if you wear
them). Simply tinkering with the contrast of your screen can help, too. White
areas should neither glow brightly like a light source nor appear gray. Flat-panel
LCD display screens (like those on laptops) cause less eyestrain than older
models. Keep reference material close to the same height as your monitor,
giving your eyes a break from having to refocus so much.
What
it means: Blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelids, especially at the
edges can have several causes. Two of them, surprisingly, are conditions
better associated with other body parts: scalp dandruff and acne rosacea (which
causes flushed red skin, usually in the faces of fair-skinned women at
midlife).
More
clues: The eyes may also feel irritated, as if specks have gotten in
them. They may burn, tear, or feel dry. The crusty debris tends to gather in
the lashes or the inner corners of the eyes, or even on the lids.
What
to do: With clean hands, apply a warm, damp washcloth to the eyes for
about five minutes at a time to loosen debris and soothe the skin. See a
doctor, who may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or oral antibiotics, as well
as artificial tears.
What
it means: An ocular migraine (also called an "ophthalmic
migraine," "optical migraine," or "migraine aura")
produces this disturbed vision, with or without an accompanying headache.
Changes in blood flow to the brain are thought to be the cause.
More
clues: The visual distortion starts in the center of the field of
vision. It might appear as a bright dot, dots, or a line that can seem to move
and disrupt your ability to see properly, as if you were looking through a
pocked or cracked window. It's painless and causes no lasting damage.
Individuals seem to have different triggers (ranging from chocolate, caffeine,
and alcohol to stress). A headache, possibly severe enough to cause nausea,
sometimes follows.
What
to do: If you're driving, pull over until the phenomenon passes
(usually within an hour). Do have an eye specialist check it out if vision
impairment lasts more than an hour or so, to rule out serious problems such as
a retinal tear; or if you also experience other symptoms elsewhere that could
indicate stroke or seizure (such as fever, loss of
muscle strength, or speech impairment).
What
it means: Many things can irritate eyes, but itchiness accompanied by
sneezing, coughing, sinus congestion, and/or a runny nose, usually screams
"I'm allergic!" When the eyes are involved, the trigger is usually
airborne, like pollen, dust, or animal dander.
More
clues: An eye allergy can also be caused by certain cosmetics or
ointments. Some people, for example, are allergic to the preservative in eye
drops used to treat dry eyes.
What
to do: Staying away from the allergic trigger is the usual treatment.
Antihistamines can treat the itchiness; those in eye-drop or gel form deliver
relief to the eyes faster. If the problem turns out to be an allergy to eye
drops, look for a preservative-free brand.
What
it means: Two groups of people most often show this symptom, known as
jaundice: Newborns with immature liver function and adults with problems of the
liver, gallbladder, or bile ducts, including hepatitis and cirrhosis. The
yellow in the white part of the eye (the sclera) is caused by a buildup
of bilirubin, the by-product of old red blood cells the liver can't process.
More
clues: "Other tissues of the body would have the same look, but we
can't see it as clearly as in the whites of the eye," says ophthalmologist
Iwach. (Skin can also turn yellowish when a person consumes too much beta
carotene found in carrots but in those cases the whites of the eyes
remain white.)
What
to do: Mention the symptom to a doctor if the person isn't already
under care for a liver-related disease, so the jaundice can be evaluated and
the underlying cause treated.
What
it means: Even people who are vigilant about checking their skin may
overlook the eyelid as a spot where skin cancer can strike. Most malignant
eyelid tumors are basal cell carcinoma. When such a tumor appears as a brown
spot, then as with any other form of skin cancer it's more likely to be
malignant melanoma.
More
clues: Elderly, fair-skinned people are at highest risk. Look
especially at the lower eyelid. The bump may look pearly, with tiny blood
vessels. If the bump is in the eyelash area, some eyelashes may be missing.
What
to do: Always have any suspicious skin spots or sores checked out by a dermatologist,
family physician, or eye doctor. Early detection is critical, before the
problem spreads to nearby lymph nodes.
What
it means: The most common cause of protruding eyes is hyperthyroidism
(overactivity of the thyroid gland), especially the form known as Graves'
disease. (Former first Lady Barbara Bush has it.)
More
clues: One way to tell if an eye is bulging is to see whether there's
any visible white part between the top of the iris and the upper eyelid,
because normally there shouldn't be. (Some people inherit a tendency toward
eyes that bulge, so if the appearance seems to run in a family, it probably
isn't hyperthyroidism.) The person may not blink often and may seem to be
staring at you. Because the condition develops slowly, it's sometimes first
noticed in photos or by the occasional visitor rather than by someone who lives
with the person every day.
What
to do: Mention the symptom to a doctor, especially if it's present in
tandem with other signs of Graves' disease, including blurry vision,
restlessness, fatigue, increase in appetite, weight loss, tremors, and
palpitations. A blood test can measure thyroid levels. Treatment includes
medication and surgery.
What
it means: These are the visual warning signs of stroke.
More
clues: The other signs of stroke include sudden numbness or weakness of
the arm or leg or face, typically on just one side of the body; trouble walking
because of dizziness or loss of balance or coordination; slurred speech; or bad
headache. In a large stroke (caused by a blood clot or bleeding in the brain),
these symptoms happen all at once. In a smaller stroke caused by narrowed
arteries, they can occur across a longer period of minutes or hours.
What
to do: Seek immediate medical help by calling 911.
What
it means: Sjogren's (pronounced "show-grins") syndrome ,also known as (Mikulicz disease) is an
immune system disorder. It impairs the glands in the eyes and mouth that keep
them moist.
More
clues: Sjogren's usually affects women over age 40 with autoimmune
disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Usually the eyes and mouth are
affected together. The person may also have vaginal dryness, dry sinuses, and
dry skin. Because of a lack of saliva, it can be difficult to chew and swallow.
What
to do: A doctor can diagnose Sjogren's through testing. Artificial
lubricants (such as artificial tears) are usually necessary to protect the
eyes, as well as to improve eating. Drinking plenty of water also helps.
What
it means: Bell's palsy is an impairment of the nerve that controls
facial muscles (the seventh cranial nerve), causing temporary paralysis in half
the face. It sometimes follows a viral infection (such as shingles, mono, or
HIV) or a bacterial infection (such as Lyme disease). Diabetics and pregnant
women are also at higher risk.
More
clues: Half of the entire face, not just the eye, is affected. Effects
vary from person to person, but the overall effect is for the face to appear
droopy and be weak. The eyelid may droop and be difficult or impossible to
close, and there will be either excessive tearing or an inability to produce
tears. The effects tend to come on suddenly.
What
to do: See a doctor. Most cases are temporary and the person recovers
completely within weeks. Rarely, the condition can recur. Physical therapy
helps restore speaking, smiling, and other tasks that require the facial
muscles working in unison, and it also helps avoid an asymmetrical appearance.
Professional eye care can keep the affected eye lubricated and undamaged.
14. Blurred vision in a diabetic
What
it means: Diabetics are at increased risk for several eye problems,
including glaucoma and cataracts. But the most common threat to vision is
diabetic retinopathy, in which the diabetes affects the circulatory system of
the eye. It's the leading cause of blindness in American adults.
More
clues: The changes linked to diabetic retinopathy tend to show up in
people who have had the disease for a long time, not those recently diagnosed.
The person may also see "floaters," tiny dark specks in the field of
vision. Sometimes diabetes causes small hemorrhages (bleeding) that are visible
in the eye. There's no pain. People with poorly controlled blood sugar may have
worse symptoms.
What to do: Someone with diabetes should have a dilated eye exam annually to catch and control the earliest stages of retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts, or other changes before they manifest as changes you're aware of.
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