Our eyes are delicate things; Being one of our most important organs, when we notice changes in our vision it can be worrying.
Although many symptoms may be harmless and not cause panic, there are times when it is best to seek help.
Furthermore, it’s not just our eyes that we should keep an eye on. Our eyebrows can also offer insight into our health.
These experts share their insights into what’s going on with your eyes and eyebrows…
Floats in your eyes
Small, shadowy spots in your field of vision are known as floaters.
According to Zain Nathu, Boot optician and Clinical Governance Optometrist, floaters are very common and can vary in size and shape, from small dots to larger cobwebs or wavy lines.
He says: “As we age, the jelly-like substance at the back of the eye, called the vitreous humor, becomes more watery and moves away from the back wall of the eye, causing cells and fibers in the jelly, like collagen. , to become more visible.
“The reflection of these fibers is what we experience as floaters.”
While they may be completely harmless, Zain says they can be an indicator of conditions that need urgent further investigation.
He says, “For example, larger tears or ring-type floaters may be an indication of posterior vitreous detachment; a loosening of the vitreous humor of the retina.
“A rain shower with lots of small spots can be an indication of a retinal tear or detachment.
“If anyone notices an increase in the number of eye floaters, it would be advisable to schedule an eye exam with their ophthalmologist without delay.”
If you are diabetic, high blood sugar levels can damage the back of your eye, leading to diabetic retinopathy.
Symptoms may take a while to appear, but in the long term they can affect vision.
Floaters are among the symptoms that require you to seek urgent help. To detect diabetic retinopathy early, you should be invited for eye exams every two years.
Thin eyebrows
If your once-thick eyebrows look a little sparse, it could be a sign of an underlying problem.
Fides Baldesberger, waxing specialist and founder of Rubis Tweezers, says: “Thinning of the eyebrows can indicate a hormonal imbalance, such as thyroid dysfunction, as it can lead to hair loss, including hair loss in the eyebrows.
“Nutritional deficiencies, especially iron, biotin and vitamins, can also result in thinner eyebrows.”
Foods rich in iron include red meat, beans and dried fruit, while foods containing biotin include egg yolks, salmon and sweet potatoes. A supplement can also help protect your intake of these nutrients.
Fides adds: “Additionally, chronic stress and aging are common culprits of thinning eyebrows.”
Fluttering eyelids
Although they can be irritating, the small twitches that occur in the muscles in and around the eyelids are common and harmless, according to Zain.
He says: “This usually occurs in times of stress or excessive tiredness, but for some people it may be due to excessive caffeine consumption.
“This fluctuation may come and go, but it usually passes on its own over the course of a few days or weeks.
“Trying to find ways to de-stress can be helpful, as can monitoring your caffeine intake.”
If the flickering is persistent, schedule an eye exam with your ophthalmologist.
Flaky skin around the eyebrows
Dry skin patches on eyebrows?
Fides says: “Peking around the eyebrows can be a telltale sign of seborrheic dermatitis, a condition linked to an overactive sebaceous gland and the growth of yeast on the skin.”
Although there is no cure, you can manage symptoms by keeping the area clean and avoiding scented soaps and creams.
Choose an emollient (moisturizing) soap – your pharmacist will be able to advise you.
Fide says: “Flaky skin around the eyebrows can also indicate dry skin, often worsened by climate change, allergies to harsh skin products, or even nutritional deficiencies.”
Your eyelids are stuck together
Do you feel like your eyelids are stuck together? Or are they uncomfortable and don’t open as well as they should?
Zain says, “Sticky eyelids can indicate a number of conditions, from dry eyes to bacterial infections.
“Dry eyes often present as uncomfortable, scratchy eyes that can be difficult to open in the morning.
“This may be related to a condition called blepharitis, which involves a problem with the way our eyelids produce oil. Treatments include lubricating eye drops, thermal masks and eyelid cleaning wipes.
Zain adds that bacterial infections, on the other hand, involve red eyes with yellow mucous discharge around the eyelids and eyelashes, causing the eyelids to stick together.
“This may require antibiotic drops from the pharmacy. If in doubt, talk to your pharmacist or schedule an eye exam with your ophthalmologist.
White spots on the edge of the cornea
If you can see small, raised, whitish-yellow spots on the edge of the cornea and conjunctiva, they are known as a pinguecula or pterygium.
Zain explains: “Both are harmless deposits due to damage caused by ultraviolet light from the sun.
“They are more common in people who spend, or have spent, a lot of time outdoors, especially in hot countries.”
These stains may also become more apparent after spending time in dry, dusty environments.
Zain says: “The pinguecula is unlikely to change much in size or shape over time and would not require any treatment.
“Pterygium can, in some cases, grow on the cornea and need to be removed.
“If you have noticed a sudden change in the appearance of your eyes, it would be important to schedule an eye exam with your ophthalmologist.”
To prevent these spots, protect your eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses with 100% UV protection on clear days, year-round.
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Blurred vision
When your vision isn’t as clear as it used to be, you may start to panic.
However, you may simply need vision correction, according to Zain, such as glasses or contact lenses.
Blurred vision can also be caused by eye conditions that require treatment, such as cataracts or macular degeneration.
Zain says: “It can be very difficult to know when someone should worry about blurred vision; however, a comprehensive eye exam with your ophthalmologist should be able to discover the cause.”
If your vision changes are drastic or appear suddenly, you should schedule an eye exam urgently.
What can blurred vision indicate?
Blurred vision usually occurs because someone has lost part of their vision.
It could also be a symptom of cataracts, glaucoma or dry eye syndrome – all of which should not be ignored.
But some of the more sinister causes of blurred vision include a stroke.
High blood pressure, diabetes and multiple sclerosis can also cause visual disturbances and need to be treated individually.
Bloodshot eyes
There are several reasons why your eyes may be red and bloodshot, from dryness, allergies, and broken blood vessels.
Conjunctivitis, dust, or ingrown eyelashes can cause red eyes.
Your ophthalmologist can help diagnose the cause of your red eyes.
Zain adds: “Symptoms that indicate more serious conditions that may require urgent intervention include pain, decreased vision and sensitivity to light.”
Spots around the temple and eyebrow line
If you notice spots in this area at that time of the month, they are likely hormonal.
However, adds Fides: “This area is also prone to acne mechanica, which is acne caused by friction or pressure, such as wearing hats or resting your face in your hands.
“Plus, hair products can sometimes clog pores, causing blemishes.”
Avoid touching your face and keep hair and clothing away from your skin. Also, be sure to cleanse your face to ensure there are no products remaining in your pores.
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How often do I need an eye exam?
Ophthalmologists say everyone should have regular eye exams — regardless of whether they wear glasses or not.
The NHS recommends that you visit your local ophthalmologist once every two years for an eye test.
This is because tests can detect many different health conditions before they show symptoms.
But if you have eye pain or your vision is not what it should be, make an appointment with your ophthalmologist immediately.
Having an eye exam means an eye doctor can tell you whether you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision.
They also check the overall health of your eyes and can detect conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
But an eye exam can also help diagnose other health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and brain tumors.
Price
For people living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most will need to pay for an eye exam at their local opticians.
The price of a test varies but can cost between £10 and £30.
However, in Scotland, all eye examinations carried out by NHS ophthalmologists are free.
There are people with certain conditions who are entitled to a free NHS eye test in England and Wales.
These include:
- Children under 15
- Children aged 16, 17 or 18 who attend full-time education
- Those who are over 60 years old
- Blind or partially sighted people
- Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
- People over 40 with a family history of glaucoma
- People receiving certain benefits, including income support, income-based unemployment benefit and pension credit.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
