What are your eyes saying?

Eye symptoms and signs



What are your eyes telling you?



You may have noticed my fixation on eyes. Well my eyes are my most prominent feature and it is hard to imagine a world without them. It is the most delicate part of our body. Pay careful attention and take care of them.





Eye symptoms: Burning eyes



"My eyes burn."



Often, burning eyes are due to some type of irritant - be it a cosmetic or skin care, chlorine from a swimming pool, or environmental irritants like cigarette smoke or smog. Seasonal allergies or allergies to dust or pet dander may also cause eyes to burn or itch, as can infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye). Dry eyes can also cause a burning sensation.



Eye symptoms: Itchy eyes



"My eyes itch."

Itchy eyes could be due to eye allergies (allergic conjunctivitis), which are usually temporary and accompanied by other allergy symptoms, like stuffy nose and sneezing. The things that commonly cause eye allergies are similar to those that cause nasal allergies - pet dander, dust, pollen. Allergic reactions to other irritants, like perfume or cosmetics, can cause similar symptoms.



Itchiness may also be a result of inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis) or of the lining of the inner eyelid (conjunctivitis or pinkeye).



Eye symptoms: Red eyes



"My eyes are red."

Like itching and burning, red or bloodshot eyes can be triggered by infections. Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the lining of the eyelids and eye surface that can be caused by infection or allergies.



Injuries can also make your eyes red. Dust and sand can get into the eyes and cause small abrasions that lead to redness.



Eye symptoms: Dry eyes



"My eyes are dry."

Your eyes become naturally drier as you get older, but dry air and sun exposure can sap the lubrication from your eyes at any age. Dry eyes may get worse if you smoke or if you are around second-hand smoke. Cold and allergy medications also commonly cause dry eyes. Prolonged dryness can lead to abrasions on the surface of the eyes.



Eye symptoms: Watery eyes



"My eyes are watery."

Watering up is a way the eyes defend themselves against infection and irritation. The viruses and bacteria that lead to conjunctivitis or blepharitis, for example, commonly trigger eye watering. So do allergic reactions to dust, mould, or animal dander. And if something gets into the eye - like sand, wind, or smog - the eyes water to force the foreign item out.



Eyes may tear up during strain of overuse or when laughing, yawning, or vomiting.



Ironically, one of the most common causes of watery eyes is dry eyes. Dry eyes trigger the body to produce excess tears to lubricate the eyes.





Eye symptoms: Eye pain



"My eye hurts."

Eye pain can be caused by a number of factors and can feel like a dull aching or throbbing, or it can feel sharp and stabbing. Sharp pain may indicate a problem with the cornea (such as an infection or ulcer), while severe, deep, aching pain could be a sign of glaucoma. Pain frequently accompanies conjunctivitis (pinkeye), and a stye can be uncomfortable to the point of pain as well. If you have been overusing your eyes, you may experience eyestrain. And the pain from migraines or sinus problems sometimes affects the area around the eye.

Help your Eyes

Help! I can't see without my glasses.

Help! I can't be seen without my glasses.



Presently, i rely on my glasses more than ever to carry out my daily activities and move from Point A to B. It is quite worrisome to me. I have decided to make lifestyle adjustments that would help my eyes in the long run.



The eyes are a very delicate part of your body. your eyes require certain nutrients to properly function, just like any other part. Like the rest of your body, your eyes age and can be affected by your lifestyle choices and behaviours.



A part of the eye called the macula (the part of the eye that allows you to see fine details) deteriorates over time, the vision can blur and become less clear.

Other eye conditions are more likely to occur as you get older including cataracts (a clouding over the lens of the eye) and glaucoma (increased eye pressure that damages the nerves in the eye). People with diabetes may develop diabetic retinopathy, which involves changes in the blood vessels that deprive the retina of oxygen. So it is important that we start to care for the eyes as early as possible. We can start with diet.



You may have heard that carrots are good for your eyes, but are there other foods you can add to your diet to support healthy vision?



Foods packed with antioxidants help to protect your eyes from oxidative damage. By eating green, leafy vegetables like spinach. You'll feed your eyes hearty helpings of lutein and zeaxanthin. These two eye-friendly antioxidants have been linked to a decreased risk of cataracts.





Greens supply potent antioxidants and are a healthy addition to any diet, but they're not the only tasty lutein source, eggs also contain lutein. Eggs should however be consumed in moderation because of cholesterol.





Eating 3 or more servings of fruits per day may protect you from a more serious form of macular degeneration.



Get into the swim and go nuts because the specific types of fat in fish and nuts have proven to be protective against the progression of age-related eye problems. High intake of dark meat (high in omega-3 fats) fish, like salmon, sardines, or mackerel, was especially helpful against cataract formation and macular degeneration.





When it comes to carbohydrates and eye health, it's what you don't eat that matters. Some kinds of carbs break down very quickly after you eat them and are distributed through your body as glucose. These quick-release carbs are high on what's called the glycemic index and include foods like white bread, baked potatoes, popcorn, pure sugar, and watermelon. By reducing your intake of these kinds of carbs, you may also reduce your risk of macular degeneration.





And what about carrots? Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a nutrient our bodies convert to vitamin A, which is crucial for healthy vision. If you eat plenty of colourful fruits and veggies, you should get all the beta-carotene you need.





Keep an eye on your total health. Strive to eat a nutritious and varied diet to avoid cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and other risks that might threaten the health of your eyes.