Because the eyes are a window to health, changes in their appearance can indicate simple health issues or complex systemic diseases that require careful examination.
How Eyes Are a Window to Health in Diagnosing Diseases
Doctors use eye examinations to detect warning signs for various conditions in the body, including:
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Recurring red spots in the white of the eye may indicate high blood pressure, while a milky white ring around the iris can suggest high cholesterol.
- Genetic and Immune Disorders: A copper-colored ring around the eye appears in Wilson’s disease, while Sjögren’s syndrome leads to severe dry eyes and dry mouth.
- Brain and Neurological Diseases: An exam can reveal strokes through sudden partial vision loss, or multiple sclerosis, which may begin with blurred vision and optic neuritis.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can cause blurred vision due to glucose infiltration in the lens or lead to retinopathy and blood vessel damage.
Common Causes of Red Eyes and Inflammation
Several factors can cause the eyes to change color or become inflamed, most notably:
- Viral Infections: The herpes simplex virus can cause eye inflammation accompanied by throbbing pain and light sensitivity.
- Iritis: This appears as deep redness starting from the center of the eye and extending as a ring within 24 to 48 hours.
- Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: Sudden redness in one eye occurs due to blood leakage, often caused by violent coughing or vomiting; it usually disappears within two weeks.
- Allergies: Exposure to dust, animal hair, or pollen causes itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis).
Causes and Treatments for Dry Eyes
The condition of dry eyes occurs due to a deficiency in the saline fluid that cleanses the eye surface. Causes include:
- Environmental and Hormonal Factors: Menopause in women affects eye lubrication. Additionally, dry winter air or working in air-conditioned offices increases dryness.
- External Factors: Long-term use of contact lenses can absorb eye moisture.
- Management Methods: It is recommended to close the eyes for 20 seconds every 10 minutes, use artificial tears (preferably types free of benzalkonium chloride), and take omega-3, 6, and 9 supplements.
Watery Eyes and Eye Pain
The eyes may suffer from excessive secretions or acute pain due to several conditions:
- Tear Duct Blockage: The contraction of collagen protein with age or a common cold can trap fluids, leading to watery eyes and swelling near the nose.
- Corneal Abrasion: This causes sharp pain and an instinctive closing of the eyelid; it often heals spontaneously.
- Corneal Ulcer: This appears as a white spot and causes persistent pain, occurring frequently in contact lens users.
- Glaucoma: Characterized by deep, penetrating pain due to blocked drainage pathways, it can lead to blindness if left untreated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bilberry?
It is a type of berry containing anthocyanins and antioxidants. It is believed to help maintain retinal health, stimulate rhodopsin pigment for light adaptation, and resist eye strain and glaucoma.
Who are candidates for laser eye surgery?
People suffering from nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), or those with astigmatism (lens focus errors).
How can vision be strengthened with exercises?
There are home exercises such as “pencil push-ups,” where the person tracks a specific letter on a pencil while moving it closer to and further from the eye to maintain clear focus.
When to Visit a Doctor Immediately
Seek urgent medical care if the following signs appear:
- Sudden drooping of the eyelid.
- Sudden loss of vision or severe difficulty seeing in one eye.
- Sharp, persistent eye pain accompanied by white spots on the cornea.
- Eye scratch pain that lasts for more than a week.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.
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Illustration: AI-generated
approved by: Medica Health team