Your eyes are one of the most important parts of your body. They help you see the beauty in this world and also help you do so many of the things you love to do. But your eyes have another role to play too. They can indicate if you have a serious infection or illness or if any of your organs are in trouble. If you suffer from any condition such as diabetes, hepatitis, or autoimmune disorders, they will show up on your eyes first. This is because all the organs in your body, including your eyes, are interconnected with each other and with your central nervous system to create a well-functioning, harmonious network. So if you have an infection, stroke, or illness, your eyes are going to get affected too. You should not hesitate at all to talk to your doctor if you experience pain around your eyes or have blurred or distorted vision. These may be the symptoms of something much more serious. Here are some of the reasons that may cause weird problems with your eyes.
1. Thyroid Problems
Your thyroid, a butterfly-shaped organ situated in your neck, is responsible for regulating the hormones that are responsible for growth and metabolism. If it gets damaged or if its performance is compromised, it can disrupt the function of some of your important body organs. A thyroid issue will result in congestion in your eyes, making them look bigger and bulge out, cause your eye muscles to swell, and make you have double vision. If your thyroid gets affected by Grave’s disease, your eyelids will retract, causing your eyes to look much bigger than they actually are. In some cases, the eyelids will retract to such an extent that it becomes impossible to close the eyes.
2. High Cholesterol
If you suffer from recurring bouts of transient vision, which appears like a curtain being thrown and lifted in front of your eyes, then you may have very high levels of cholesterol in your body. This is because excessive cholesterol can plug your carotid artery which pumps blood to your eyes. You can also experience other symptoms such as difficulty adjusting to bright light, an appearance of a grey ring around the eyes, and eye pain. If you doubt you have high cholesterol, you should check your inner eyelids and corners of your eye sockets for yellow-colored cholesterol deposits.
3. Autoimmune Diseases
An autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis results in the weakening of your eye muscles, which causes your eyelids to droop and makes it extremely difficult to open your eyes completely. Other autoimmune diseases like lupus and arthritis can lead to an infection of the uvea, which is a layer of your eye. If you experience changes in your vision, you should get screened for multiple sclerosis.
4. Diabetes
If you have diabetes, your risk of contracting eye diseases and infections are greater than others. The condition also affects the macula, the part of your retina that is responsible for controlling central vision, and causes it to accumulate fluid. Though it may not completely affect your ability to see, it can prevent your eyes from functioning normally. Diabetes also increases your chances of contracting glaucoma and cataracts. So it is advisable to go for regular eye check-ups if you are a diabetic patient.
5. Stroke
If you experience a loss of sight in one of your eyes, then it can be an indication that you may experience a heart stroke or you may have already experienced one. In extreme cases, you may become completely blind. In some cases, a stroke may negatively impact the nerves that are responsible for eye movement and you may experience double vision. If you experience any problem with your eyes, you should not waste time in getting it checked by your doctor.
