The eyes are often referred to as the windows to the soul. But did you know that the eyes can reveal signs of diseases and conditions beyond the soul? Certain eye symptoms and changes can indicate underlying issues that require medical attention.

Here are some eye-opening diseases your eyes may reveal:.

1. Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, is impaired. One of the early signs of diabetes is vision changes.

High blood sugar levels can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that detects images and sends them to the brain. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:.

Blurred or distorted vision
Floaters, or tiny black spots that float across your field of vision
Difficulty seeing in low light conditions
Loss of vision over time

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see an eye doctor for an exam. Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy can help prevent vision loss.

2. High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against the walls of your blood vessels is too high. This can cause damage to organs and tissues, including the eyes. High blood pressure can lead to:.

Hypertensive retinopathy, which is damage to the blood vessels in the retina. Symptoms of hypertensive retinopathy include:

Burst blood vessels in the eye
Swelling of the optic nerve
Bleeding in the retina
Reduced vision

Narrowing of the blood vessels in the eye, which can cause vision changes and put you at risk for developing glaucoma

If you have high blood pressure, it’s important to get regular eye exams to check for any damage to your eyes.

3. Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. One of the early signs of MS is vision problems. MS can cause:.

Optic neuritis, which is inflammation of the optic nerve. Symptoms of optic neuritis include:

Pain in the eye
Blurred vision
Loss of color vision
Loss of vision

Double vision
Jerky eye movements

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, see an eye doctor for an exam. Early detection and treatment of MS can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

4. Thyroid Disease

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, which can affect many functions in the body, including the eyes. Thyroid disease can cause the following eye symptoms:.

Graves’ ophthalmopathy, which is an autoimmune disorder that affects the muscles and tissues around the eyes. Symptoms of Graves’ ophthalmopathy include:

Bulging eyes
Dry eyes
Eye pain or discomfort
Double vision
Difficulty focusing

Proptosis, which is bulging of one or both eyes
Dry eyes
Sensitivity to light

If you have thyroid disease and are experiencing eye symptoms, see an eye doctor for an exam. Treatment may include medication, surgery or radiation.

5. Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. One of the early signs of Parkinson’s disease is changes to vision. Parkinson’s disease can cause:.

Reduced blink rate, which can cause dry eyes and other eye symptoms
Difficulty focusing
Double vision
Vision changes related to medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease

If you have Parkinson’s disease and are experiencing eye symptoms, see an eye doctor for an exam. Treatment may include medication, surgery or other interventions to manage symptoms.

6. Brain Tumors

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain. Brain tumors can cause many symptoms, including changes to vision. Symptoms related to vision may include:.

Double vision
Loss of vision
Blurry vision
Diplopia, or seeing two images of one object
Papilledema, which is swelling of the optic nerve

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see an eye doctor for an exam. Early detection and treatment of a brain tumor can improve outcomes.

7. Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout the body, including the eyes. Lupus can cause the following eye symptoms:.

Dry eyes
Sensitivity to light
Eye inflammation, which can cause pain, redness and other symptoms
Retinal damage

If you have lupus and are experiencing eye symptoms, see an eye doctor for an exam. Treatment may include medication to manage symptoms.

8. Sjogren’s Syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the salivary glands and tear glands, which can cause dryness throughout the body, including the eyes. Sjogren’s syndrome can cause the following eye symptoms:.

Dry eyes
Blurry vision
Light sensitivity
Eye inflammation

If you have Sjogren’s syndrome and are experiencing eye symptoms, see an eye doctor for an exam. Treatment may include medication to manage symptoms and increase tear production.

9. Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that can cause many symptoms throughout the body, including the eyes. Lyme disease can cause:.

Blurry vision
Double vision
Eye pain or discomfort
Light sensitivity

If you have Lyme disease and are experiencing eye symptoms, see an eye doctor for an exam. Treatment may include medication to manage symptoms and antibiotics to treat the underlying infection.

10. Cataracts

Cataracts are a common condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, causing blurry vision. Cataracts can be caused by many factors, including:.

Aging
Exposure to UV radiation
Smoking
Medical conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure
Certain medications

If you suspect you have cataracts, see an eye doctor for an exam. Treatment may include surgery to replace the cloudy lens with an artificial one.

Conclusion

The eyes are more than just windows to the soul. They can also reveal signs of underlying diseases and conditions that require medical attention.

If you are experiencing any changes to your vision or notice any abnormalities in your eyes, see an eye doctor for an exam. Early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss and manage symptoms of these conditions.