From puffiness to yellow spots – what your eyelids can reveal about your health and when to see a doctor
AS the old saying goes: the eyes are a window to the soul.
But they can also allow you to gain a better understanding of your overall health - especially your eyelids.
Most eyelid issues aren’t very serious.
But if you’ve noticed something’s different about one or both of your lids, it’s important to know what to look out for.
In some cases, it could be an early warning sign of a serious condition.
We've delved into the symptoms of six different conditions that can affect your lids, but reveal much more...
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1. Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a rare long-term autoimmune condition that causes muscle weakness.
The first sign is usually an eye droop or other visual problem like double vision.
Often, symptoms will progress to include difficulty swallowing, weakness in the arms, legs and neck and extreme fatigue.
The disease can also interfere with a person’s ability to breathe - which is when it becomes very serious.
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There is currently no treatment for the condition, but surgery to remove the thymus gland (a small gland in the chest linked to myasthenia gravis) has been shown to help in some cases.
When to see a doctor
Book an appointment with your GP if you have long-lasting symptoms mentioned above that could be caused by myasthenia gravis.
The GP can refer you to a specialist for tests to help diagnose the condition or look for other possible causes of your symptoms.
2. Hyperthyroidism
Having bulging eyes can be indicative of an overactive thyroid - a condition known as hyperthyroidism.
The condition, which is suffered by two per cent of Brits, happens when the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroid hormones.
According to the NHS, too much of these hormones can cause unpleasant and potentially serious problems.
One in every three people who have an overactive thyroid gland will suffer from a condition know as Grave’s disease.
Many cases are mild and get better as your overactive thyroid is treated, but for around one in every 20 to 30 cases there's a risk of blindness.
If Graves is particularly severe it can cause vision loss.
Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include anxiety, fatigue, frequent bowel movements, hair loss and hand tremors.
When to see a doctor
If you think you could have hyperthyroidism you must see your GP.
Thankfully, the condition is treatable with drugs that work by stopping your thyroid producing too much of the thyroid hormones.
3. High Cholesterol
If you have white or yellow lumps near the eyelids this could be a sign of high cholesterol.
These marks are called xanthelasma deposits, the NHS says.
High levels of cholesterol can build up in the artery walls and reduce blood flow to the heart.
This increases the risk of a clot forming around the body and also coronary heart disease occurring.
Having high cholesterol can also lead to heart attacks and strokes.
When to see a doctor
It’s important to see your doctor if you notice yellow bumps on your eyelids as this can be a can indicate you have a higher chance of heart disease.
High cholesterol does not many cause symptoms, making it very hard to spot.
Your GP might suggest having a test if they think your cholesterol level could be high.
4. Conjunctivitis
If you find your eyelids are sticking together, you could have a condition known as conjunctivitis.
It's usually triggered by an infection or allergies.
Sometimes known as pink eye, the condition can also leave the eye red, feeling gritty, itchy and weepy.
When to see a doctor
It usually gets better in a couple of weeks without treatment.
But if you are struggling, your pharmacist can offer advice and suggest eye drops or antihistamines to help with your symptoms.
5. Diabetes
If you notice your bottom eyelid starting to sag, you could have diabetes.
It's worth bearing in mind that sagging skin anywhere on the body, including the lids, is a sign of ageing.
But in some cases, eyelid sagging can be the result of nerve damage linked to diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.
There are two types, with the main difference being that type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition, while type 2 is caused by lifestyle choices such as weight gain.
If not managed correctly the condition can also lead to sight loss and the limb ambutations.
Symptoms include feeling very thirsty, peeing more, fatigue, weight loss and blurred vision.
When to see a doctor
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above you should visit your GP.
You should also see your GP if you have risk factors of diabetes and are worried about developing it in the future.
6. Vitamin deficiencies
If your eyes twitching every now again out of nowhere, your body is trying to tell you that your nervous system is not working properly.
Often this will resolve itself - especially if caused by stress, tiredness or caffeine.
But in some cases it can indicate a magnesium or vitamin B12 deficiency.
When to see a doctor
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If your twitch does not go away, your GP can check for triggers like medicine you're taking or stress.
They can also refer you to a specialist called a neurologist for tests to look for conditions that can cause a twitch.