Eye Problems? Here’s What It Says About Your Health

You could have high cholesterol

A white circle around the iris of your eye (in medical terms, your corneal arcus) is usually a sign of aging. However, in certain cases, this color change around your iris might indicate high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Too much cholesterol in your blood builds up the wall of your arteries and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

If you see a white ring forming around your iris, it’s high time you make a visit to your ophthalmologist or your general physician.

You could have high blood pressure

Apart from increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure can also affect your eyes by damaging the blood vessels in your retina, known as hypertensive retinopathy. It’s not always visible by simply looking in the mirror but it can be easily seen by your doctor during an eye exam.

Therefore, don’t skip on your annual screenings, especially if you could prevent or treat a more serious issue from an early stage.

You could have allergies

If your eyes are dry and cause discomfort and itching, rubbing them will only make it worse. In addition to damaging the skin around them, which is extremely delicate, it will also lead to the loosening of your eyelids’ muscles, making them saggy and droopy. This, in turn, will cause wrinkles and increase exposure to air, making your eyes overly dry.

If you’re looking for the culprit of dry and itchy eyes, look no more: it’s seasonal allergies, most of them occurring during hay fever season.