12 Things Your Eyes Are Telling You About Your Health

See what your eyes can’t unsee:

• It could be an infection – If you’re wearing contact lenses, instead of glasses, you should watch out for white spots on your cornea (a clear layer over the front of your eyeball). This often happens among those who wear contact lenses. Dr Herz warns that this could be a sign of corneal infection.
• Or, you might be too stressed – The stress that we’re dealing with can manifest in many ways, including through an eye twitch. It’s more annoying than concerning, but it’s a sign that you need to rest and manage your stress levels.
• You could have diabetes – If we have blurred vision, we instantly think of needing glasses, but you should check your eyes, nevertheless. Blurred vision could also indicate cataracts, macular degeneration or even diabetes. In fact, there’s a 2014 study that discovered how 73% of diabetic patients tested reported blurred vision.
• Your cholesterol is too high – Did you notice a white ring around your corneal arcus (or commonly known as the iris)? Well, you should visit your ophthalmologist and your GP for a check-up. A white ring around your iris might be a sign of aging, but also an indicator of high cholesterol and triglycerides, which means that you have a higher risk of suffering from a heart attack or a stroke.
• Your blood pressure is too high – While we’re talking about heart disease and strokes, it’s worth mentioning that untreated high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in your retina, known as hypertensive retinopathy. While you can’t see these effects in the mirror, your doctor will be able to spot the damage during an eye exam.