The white portion of the eye is known as the sclera. Healthy eye tissue should be white. Yellowing of the eyes is known as jaundice and can be a sign of serious liver disease. Jaundice is a sign of high levels of bilirubin, which the liver makes when it's inflamed or damaged.
A healthy sclera is white. But what does it mean when the sclera takes on a different hue? If your whites become yellow, like Michael Jordan's eyes in 'The Last Dance,' or otherwise discolored, consult with your ophthalmologist. In some cases, this could signal an underlying health condition.
Of all eye colors, brown seems to be the only one that could be called “advantageous” from a survival perspective. While more research is needed, darker irises are linked to a number of health benefits, including these: Reduced risk of macular degeneration. Lower melanoma risk.
The medical term for this white eye reflex or reflection is leukocoria – leukos means white and kore means pupil. In humans it occurs when there is an abnormal light reflection in the eye. It will show up most often in photographs, or in low light levels.
The hemoglobin in the red blood cells is what gives the blood its colour. Therefore, low levels or lack of iron in the body can make your blood less like it. Usually, a normal eye appears pale pink in colour. However, if you're deficient in iron in the body, your inner eyelid may seem more white.
Your eyes act as an early warning system to let you know when something is wrong and you need medical attention. Diabetes, for instance, can cause blurred vision when symptoms began to flare up. Dim or double vision may be an early sign you are suffering a stroke. Blood vessels are especially revealing.
The observation of that nerve is a crucial part of a comprehensive eye examination. By examining your eyes in this way, your eye doctor can often detect conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arterial plaque, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, stroke, leukemia and many other conditions.
Your eye exam can tell you a lot about your overall health. For example, your eye doctor can spot early signs of diabetes, whether you are at higher risk of heart disease and even indications that you may have cancer. Eye exams check far more than your vision.
A regular, routine eye test can sometimes detect eye problems that indicate the presence of a brain tumour before any symptoms become obvious. An eye test is particularly good at identifying any swelling of the optic disc (a condition called papilloedema) and can also identify when there is pressure on the optic nerve.
The color of your eyes affects your risk of developing cataracts. Studies show that people with dark brown eyes have a higher risk of developing cataracts than people with lighter eyes. UV light is a known contributor to cataract development no matter what color your eyes are.
Disease, aging, and trauma can also change eye color. Because light eyes have less melanin, they are more susceptible to UV damage and more likely to experience macular degeneration or cancer of the eye. Some people think you can determine personality by eye color.
Eye color has a lot to do with genetics, but the color of your irises can also tell people a little bit about your personality. Of course, eye color isn't the only aspect that can determine what someone is like, but it can be fun to learn about.
A liver that is working poorly cannot get rid of bilirubin, a substance that produces a yellowing of the eyes and skin called jaundice. Too much alcohol and some medicines can also lead to jaundice. If you suddenly develop jaundice, you should go to the emergency room immediately.
Puffy eyelids, under-eye bags, and dark circles under the eyes are the tell-tale signs of tired eyes.
Heart disease
Because the health of your eye is connected to the health of your heart, eye exams can detect a number of cardiovascular conditions, including clogged arteries, often before the patient even knows there's a problem.
A yellowish tint in whites of the eyes may be an indication of liver disease.
Some brain tumours can be detected through an eye test. But, it depends on the type of tumour and where it is. It's also good to remember that brain tumours are relatively rare and vision problems can be caused by a lot of different factors. Changes in vision are symptoms of brain tumours.
Heart failure affects the whole cardiovascular system, including the blood vessels in the eyes. As the heart becomes less effective at pumping, fluid gathers in the tissues around the body. Eye exams can detect swelling and fluid in the eyes that could indicate early signs of heart failure.
Eye exams can help to spot early signs of stroke. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke. If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to get it under control. High cholesterol can also increase your risk of stroke.
Blurred or distorted vision is a common symptom of a variety of eye conditions. If you notice sudden, significant changes to your vision, you should visit your optometrist as soon as possible. Common eye conditions that may cause blurred or distorted vision include: Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Eye symptoms of low iron can include a pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids. In moderate or severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, the inside layer of the lower eyelid is very pale pink or yellow instead of red. Rather than low iron, one common cause of blurry vision is dry eye.