5 eye symptoms that could signal health problems – Check yourself

Bulging eyes

American doctor Amir Khan explained that bulging eyes could be a sign of thyroid problems.

"So don't put up with it, go and get your bloods checked," he said.

Bulging eyes (exophthalmos) are one of the characteristic signs of thyroid problems, particularly autoimmune thyrotoxicosis, most commonly known as Graves' disease.

In Graves' disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks not only the thyroid gland but also the tissues behind the eyes (orbits). This leads to:

• swelling of soft tissues

• inflammation of the eye muscles

• increased pressure in the orbit

Drooping eyelid

Dr. Khan urged people to seek medical help immediately if they suddenly notice that an eyelid has started to droop.

This may be a sign of a neurological disorder or even an early warning of a stroke.

If one eyelid begins to droop, it's called ptosis. Sometimes it’s harmless, but if it happens suddenly, especially with slurred speech or weakness, it could be a sign of a stroke. In that case, urgent medical attention is needed.

Blurred vision

Sudden blurred vision, especially if you're feeling thirsty or tired, could be a sign of high blood sugar and the onset of diabetes.

"Diabetes affects the tiny little blood vessels in the back of your eyes. You need to get it checked by an optician," the doctor added.

Vision deterioration can be caused by various factors, ranging from common refractive errors to more serious eye conditions.

Yellow ring around the iris

This may be caused by several factors, including age-related changes, high cholesterol levels, or jaundice.

A yellow ring around the iris is caused by elevated levels of bilirubin. The reasons may include:

• liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis)

• problems with the bile ducts

• hemolytic anemia

Pale inner eyelid

With anemia, the level of hemoglobin — the protein that carries oxygen in the blood — drops. This can lead to reduced blood supply in small vessels, particularly in mucous membranes like the inner side of the lower eyelid.

Normally, it should appear pink or reddish. If it looks very pale, it may indicate low hemoglobin levels.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.