The eyes do far more than allow us to see; they also reflect what is happening inside our bodies. A simple glance can offer important clues about underlying health conditions, alerting individuals and physicians to early signs of disease. ALSO READ: Govt expands eye, dental care at second-generation health posts A pale look, that is, whitish discolouration in the inside of the lower eyelids, is an indicator of anaemia (insufficient amount of haemoglobin) which is an important component of red blood cells that helps in carrying oxygen to different parts of the body. Slight yellow discoloration of the eyes indicates that the liver is not functioning well. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s approval of first eye care biosimilar offers hope for millions White opaque spots inside the eyes are suggestive of vitamin A deficiency in the body. Depending on the degree of deficiency, they can be single or multiple. Some people, especially middle-aged adults, are seen to have orange-coloured spots inside the eyes. They are usually indicative of high cholesterol levels within the body. Along with it, a yellow or greenish ring around the cornea is also a pointer towards high cholesterol levels. Drooping eyelids may be the first sign of myasthenia gravis, a disease that causes muscular weakness. Whenever there is retention of fluids in the body, as in cardiac failure, kidney or liver failure, thyroid deficiency state, protein deficiency, or kidney disease, there is puffiness around the eyes. Except for heart failure, this puffiness is more pronounced in the morning after waking up. Such puffiness can also occur due to hormonal changes around and after menopause, and also in urinary tract infections. Presence of warts in the eyes or conjunctivitis with genital discharge indicates the presence of a sexually transmitted disease. Protruding eyeballs are a tell-tale sign of an overactive thyroid gland. Skin cancers affect the eyelids and outer surfaces of the eyes. Melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the most common types of skin cancer, can be visible over the eyes or eyelids as a whitish or reddish nodule, gelatinous thickening, or fleshy plaque. Blood cancers can affect the inner surface of the eyes. Breast tumours or tumours in other parts can spread to different parts of the eyes and can be seen on eye examination. Brain tumours cause increased pressure within the brain, which gets transmitted to the eyes, and this is detected on eye examination. Sudden onset of blurred vision, reduced vision, blurred vision, or double vision points to a brain tumour, and eye examination can help in detecting it. In diabetic retinopathy, there is bleeding from small blood vessels in the eyes and leaking of yellow fluid. Sometimes, these changes are the first clue to the diagnosis of diabetes. Early detection helps to avoid vision loss in people. Unusual bends, bleeding in the blood vessels of the eyes, can alert one to high blood pressure. Hypertension is a known risk factor for glaucoma, retinopathy, and visual problems. Hence, early detection of high blood pressure and its timely management can help prevent its complications in the body. Early signs of heart disease can also be seen in the eyes. When the retina of the eyes (the screen on which images are focused) is examined carefully by tools, doctors can see the marks left by eye stroke on the retina in healthy people. This can help in the early detection of heart disease. Lupus, an autoimmune disease, causes dry eye as one of its manifestations, and also swelling in the white part or inner layers of the eyes. Similarly, other autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis also affect the eyes, and there can be inflammation of one or more parts of the eyes, causing visual problems. Sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder, can be detected by an eye examination. It can cause multiple changes in the eyes, from redness, burst blood vessels on the eye surface, to severe haemorrhages and retinal detachment. Some drugs like amiodarone used for heart rhythm disturbance, and digoxin used in heart failure can affect the eyes and cause visual disturbances. Some anti-allergy drugs can cause early cataract. Anti-clotting drugs can cause bleeding in the eyes. Therefore, everyone, especially people aged 40 and above, should pay attention to changes in their eyes and have a comprehensive eye examination at least once a year. Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine.
