An old saying claims that the eyes are the windows of the soul. No one knows where this phrase came from, but nevertheless today we know for sure that eyes can tell a lot about us and show our health condition.

1. Permanent sty

If you’ve ever had a sty, you know the pain and irritation it causes. A lump on the eyelid appears due to a blocked sebaceous gland and usually goes away within a few days, but it may persist, causing serious inconveniences.

If a sty pops up often or persists for a long time, it can be a symptom of sebaceous gland carcinoma. If you notice that it doesn’t heal or appears in the same place, it’s time to visit a doctor.

2. Eyebrow loss

There are lots of reasons for eyebrow loss: aging, stress, or nutrient deficiency. Alopecia areata, or spot baldness, can be another reason, though it affects no more than 0.1% of the population.

A more plausible reason for eyebrow loss is hypothyroidism – an acute shortage of thyroid hormones that in extreme cases can lead to hair loss. So if your hair is thinning, it’s better to visit your doctor and check the state of your thyroid gland.

3. Blurred vision

Many of us spend hours on computers at home or at work, which causes burning eyes or blurred vision. Nowadays this situation occurs so often that there’s a special term in medical practice that describes vision problems connected with prolonged computer, cell phone, or e-book use: “digital eye strain” or “dry eye syndrome.” If you recognize these symptoms, discuss with your doctor the ways to solve this problem.

4. Blind spots

It’s always frightening to notice a blind spot in your vision. This may pretty often point at migraine with aura, especially if the picture you get is accompanied by sparkling dots or wavy lines. Typically, blind spots go together with headaches.

If such symptoms sound even too familiar for you, call your doctor to learn what triggers the problem.

5. Bulging eyes

We have all had times when our eyes seemed to betray us. We rub them or blink several times, and our vision seems to become clear again. But if you constantly feel some sort of expansion in your eyes, it can be a symptom of thyroid (or Graves) eye disease. It means your thyroid is overactive.

Difficulties closing the eyes is one of the symptoms which can make the eyes appear to bulge. It occurs in 30% of cases, so if you see something like that, call your doctor immediately.

6. Yellow whites

Every day we spend time looking in the mirror, so it’s unlikely we can miss this problem.

Both adults and newborns with undeveloped liver function may face jaundice. It may also be connected with the state of a gallbladder or bile ducts. So if you see your whites becoming yellow, don’t ignore it – rush to find the reason.

7. Cloudy vision with diabetes

People with diabetes have to pay special attention to their health, and vision is one of the things they keep tabs on. One such problem is diabetic retinopathy – a state caused by damage to blood vessels in the photosensitive retina tissue. It may be the reason of “cloudy” vision. This problem should be taken seriously: one should contact a specialist at the onset of symptoms.

8. Impaired or cloudy vision, vision loss

Any vision change is an alarm bell that requires an instant response. And if you notice your vision suddenly impaired, clouded, or even disappearing for a moment, seek medical help immediately because these symptoms are often the first signs of a stroke.