NHS GP Dr Amir Khan has urged people to pay more attention to their eyes, as they can be the first thing to tell you that something is wrong in your body and you need medical help
It’s always important to stay on top of your health. While everyone knows the best way to do this is to eat well and incorporate some sort of exercise into your lifestyle, it can be difficult to know what health warnings you should look out for.
Keeping an eye out on any new patterns or irregularities in your body can be crucial in order to catch illnesses or serious conditions early. This can help you get treatment earlier and limit the overall risk of complications. However, knowing what to look out for can often feel like an overwhelming task.
To help, NHS GP, Dr Amir Khan, who is well-known from his appearances on Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, has shared tips on how your eyes can help tell you if something is wrong. Taking to his social media, he went on to share five ways your eyes can work as a warning sign that something’s wrong.
“Your eyes aren’t just there for fluttering and flirting,” he said. “They can be early warning signs for what’s going on inside your body. So here are five things your eyes could be trying to tell you about your health.”
He went on to jump into his list of five eye symptoms to look out for.
1. Bulging eyes
“Number one, bugling eyes,” he started. “That could be a sign of thyroid trouble. Eyes looking wide or like they’re pushing outwards could be a sign of thyroid eye disease linked to an overactive thyroid, and it needs treatment.”
“So don’t put up with it, go and get your bloods checked,” he told his followers.
If you experience bulging eyes, the NHS urges you to get treatment quickly, as it could affect your vision if not treated.
2. Droopy eyelid
Next up, Dr Khan went on to urge people to get urgent medical attention if you suddenly notice that your eyelid has started to droop
“That could be a sign of nerve or even an early stroke warning,” he said.
“One eyelid starting to droop is called ptosis. Sometimes, it’s harmless, but if it happens suddenly, especially with slurred speech or weakness, it could be a mini stroke. You need to act fast,” Dr Khan said.
3. Blurry vision
“Number three, blurry vision,” he started. “That could be a clue for diabetes. Is your vision going blurry on and off? Especially if you’re feeling thirsty or tired, it could be a sign of high blood sugar.”
“Diabetes affects the tiny little blood vessels in the back of your eyes. You need to get it checked by an optician,” he said.
Blurred vision can stem from various causes, ranging from common refractive errors to more serious eye conditions. If you experience sudden or persistent blurred vision, especially with other symptoms, it’s crucial to seek prompt diagnosis from an optician or GP.
4. Yellow ring around iris
“Number four, a yellowish ring around your iris. That could be a sign of high cholesterol,” Dr Khan said.
A yellow ring around the iris can be caused by several factors, including age-related changes, high cholesterol, or a condition called central heterochromia, according to All About Vision.
“Now, it can be normal with age, but in younger people, it might mean your cholesterol is high, so it’s worth getting your bloods checked,” he said.
5. Pale inner eyelid
“And number five, a pale inner eyelid, that could be a sign of anaemia,” he said.
“So if you gently pull down your lower eyelid, have a look in this area here,” he said pointing to the inner eyelid of the eye. “If it looks usually pale, you might be anaemic, that means low oxygen delivery in the blood, and a simple blood test can confirm it.
“So your eyes are doing more than just seeing, they’re sending you signals, so listen to them. And if it looks off, get it checked,” he said.
If you’re ever unsure of anything happening in your body, it’s best to seek professional advice from your pharmacist or doctor.