Health Insights Through The Eyes

It is important to shed light on the importance of eye health in relation to the general health and wellness of your body. It is important to understand how all organs use an integrated system called Immunity, to prevent as well as to cure diseases and ailments that often come knocking on our door. But most importantly, what the condition of your eyes and vision is telling you about your health.

Our eyes are not just a window to the soul. Changes in your eyes don’t just signal vision problems. They can also signal other disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, stress/depression and more.

Did you know…

• Alcoholism, associated with stress, can show itself in many ways other than alcohol abuse. Stress and alcoholism can manifest in a twitch either at the top or below the eye, which can be more irritating as opposed to concerning. However, that can be a sign that you may need to seek healthier ways to manage stress or depression, the two have a potential of causing lifestyle/dread diseases such as Hypertension which can lead to stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

• Our hair is not the only thing that turns grey when we age. A white/grey ring also forms around the iris (corneal in medical terms), also as a sign of ageing. However, this symptom can also signal high cholesterol presence. Cholesterol is caused by fatty diet, lack of exercise, high amount of sodium in the body, being overweight, smoking and alcohol abuse. This leads to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.

      Are you below 60 years of age? Do you have a white/grey ring on your iris? Get a blood test.

•A type of skin cancer, known as Basal cell carcinomas, which occurs mostly on the face and often invades surrounding tissue can be characterised by a sore or sores under your eyelids. These sores are often stubborn to heal and often also cause loss of eyelash. Although this type of Cancer is not usually fatal as it seldom metastasizes, it cannot be ignored, as it can cause disfigurement, blindness, and even death, if it reaches the brain through the eye socket.

• The itchy bump we often get underneath our eyelids, that look like a little tumour, is a blocked oil gland called Chalazion in medical terms. Even though this hard, but painless mass can be harmless, it may signal that you may have developed oily skin and may need to take appropriate steps to correct that.

• The retina, which a light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, when severely inflamed to the point of blindness, can signal the presence of HIV in the body. Ophthalmologists and Optometrists are able to diagnose this condition.

• These are amongst the many conditions in the body that can be diagnosed through appropriate eye examination. Remember, the state of your eye health is not just about vision. It is about your general health.

Visit Mashiane Optometry and Iridology for a glimpse into your general health.