What do your eyes say about your health?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi Bich Nhi - Ophthalmologist - General Surgery Department - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital. The doctor has 10 years of experience in the field of ophthalmology.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that your eyes are red, swollen, tired,... Taking care of your eyes with a cold compress, or buying your own eye drops can provide temporary relief. . But you should still see a doctor. Because those signs are telling you about health-related problems that you are or may have.

The most common eye problem people experience is red eyes, says Nashville-based ophthalmologist Rebecca J. Taylor. It presents as a streak of blood on the white part of the eye, but is usually just a bruise under the surface of the eye. These are called subdural hemorrhages and should clear up in a few weeks.
If both eyes are red, itchy and watery, it could be an allergy. These symptoms are usually caused by environmental (seasonal) allergies, or allergies to products you've used. Over-the-counter eye drops can help reduce the extra moisture in your eyes, and antihistamine eye drops will help stop the itching. But see your doctor if the condition doesn't go away after more than 10 days.

Your doctor may call this acute conjunctivitis. It manifests as red, itchy eyes and white or yellow discharge. Usually it is caused by a virus and lasts a week to 10 days. Acute conjunctivitis can start in one eye and go to the other eye. Runny nose and cold symptoms are also common in this case.

If you think you have acute conjunctivitis, see your doctor for the most accurate diagnosis. Acute conjunctivitis can be very contagious, so wash your hands a lot and change towels or washcloths often to ensure eye hygiene. Some conditions, such as dry eye disease or eye infections, look a lot like pink eye. But your doctor will know the difference between them and give the right treatment for each.

Dry eyes are often attributed to environmental causes, hormonal changes, or daily habits. People who work on computers, mobile phones, books or TV for long periods of time can feel very uncomfortable after they finish work, because they do not blink enough.
According to Dr. Taylor, using artificial tears several times a day can have a moisturizing effect on the eyes in this case. But you should see your doctor if after using these eye drops your dry eye still does not improve. In addition, some health problems such as arthritis are also associated with dry eyes and certain medications you are taking can also cause this condition.

Eyes can naturally secrete oil. If the oil glands are blocked, they can cause an infection in the eyelash follicle. And the result is a painful, red bump on the eyelid called a stye.
To ease the pain, place a warm, moist compress on the softest part of the bump 5 or 6 times a day. You can also clean your eyes by washing your lashes once a day with a few drops of baby shampoo and hot water. You may also need an antibiotic, steroid ointment, or even surgery to reduce the damage.

Eyelid twitching is quite common and annoying, but usually not serious. It's called eyelid twitching. Usually, eye twitching has no obvious cause and goes away on its own. It may have something to do with caffeine intake, stress or too little sleep.
The solution to reduce eye twitching is to make lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine, getting enough sleep. You should see your eye doctor if you have seizures for more than a week, or if other parts of your face start to twitch as it could be a sign of other serious health problems.

When you stare at a computer screen all day, your eyes can get tired. Take a break and practice the 20/20/20 rule. That is, looking at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. This is the advice of Dr. Ivan Schwab, USA.
Another cause of eye strain is dry eyes. Then, try a few artificial tears to improve this eye strain. But if you're over 40, you may need to wear assistive glasses while working.

As you age, the thin tissues of the eyelids can look like they are drooping. This is a normal thing, as long as it occurs in both eyes.
But see your doctor as soon as possible if one or both eyelids droop above the pupil of your eye. As it can have another more serious health condition.

If you are over 40 years old, this phenomenon is entirely possible. Because at that age, the ability of the eyes to see has started to change and farsightedness is common.
Farsightedness occurs when the lens of the eye hardens and the eye cannot easily accommodate focus from far to near. Leads to difficulty reading text at close range, especially when the light is dim. Reading glasses, bifocals and lenses will help in this case.
If you have any problems with your eyes, see an ophthalmologist to diagnose the cause and give appropriate treatment. If you are 40 or older, your doctor may recommend testing to detect certain conditions, such as glaucoma or retinopathy. These diseases, if not treated in time, can lead to blindness. You should get a comprehensive eye exam if you have a family history or a history of an underlying medical condition that could increase your risk of eye disease.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading medical doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consultation services. comprehensive and professional medical consultation and treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers when choosing to perform tests here can be completely assured of the accuracy of test results.

Article reference source: webmd.com