What can a doctor say about a person's health by simply looking into his eyes?

When you look at someone's eyes, you may be trying to start an interview. Or, maybe you just check if they are annoyed with allergies or insomnia.

But when a doctor looks into your eyes, you can see much more. Eyes can be a proverbial mirror of the soul, but they are also an excellent indicator of your health. The amount of information that they can carry is amazing.

Many pathological conditions cause symptoms throughout the body: some appear on the skin, others in the mouth, and some even in the nails, but the eye is the only point that shows the greatest percentage of health problems.

"Looking at the eyes is a truly amazing experience," said Dr. Charles P. Wilkinson, a retina specialist and clinical representative of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "This is the only place where you can observe the blood vessels, as well as the optic nerve, which is part of the brain."

This is why ophthalmologists and optometrists are often among the first to discover certain health problems.

1. Red spots

Spots of red in the form of blood spots can be a sign of diabetes. If the blood sugar level is too high, the blood vessels begin to block and swell. It can rupture the tiny blood vessels of the retina, causing bleeding.

2. Bloodshot eyes

Such a symptom can be caused by many pathological conditions - from intense cough to fungal infection.

3. Itchy, swollen, red eyes

This phenomenon is common for allergies caused by pollen, dust or pets. In this case, eye drops can help, especially if they include antihistamine, although be careful with oral antihistamines, because under the influence of some of them the eyes may begin to dry.

4. Dry eyes

They are a side effect of both computer use and drugs such as sleeping pills, painkillers or tranquilizers. Autoimmune diseases can also cause the appearance of dry eyes. Especially provoked by Sjogren's syndrome, which destroys the glands that produce moisture. The disease mainly affects older women.

5. Loss of concentration

Most people lose the ability to focus on things like the restaurant's menu as it ages. But medications such as antidepressants, antihistamines and diuretics can lead to this premature state called presbyopia.

Blurred vision

Blurred vision can be caused by a long list of eye pathologies, but for those who are already exposed to high blood pressure, this symptom may be a sign that you should immediately consult a doctor. When a person's appearance indicates the side effects of hypertension, this person needs prompt treatment.

7. Spots and flashes of light

The appearance of spots or flashes of light can serve as a sign of a torn retina. Some people experience these symptoms with migraines or simply as they grow older. But a sudden increase in the size and number of spots or flashes of light that you see can be caused by a torn retina that needs to be treated. This is especially true if flashes or spots are accompanied by a shadow or a loss of peripheral vision, which most likely indicates a retinal detachment.

8. Cancer

Eye doctors may be the first to detect certain types of cancer. An ophthalmologist can check the ocular melanoma, a rare form of a tumor that usually can not be detected by looking in the mirror. If other causes of pressure or pain in the eyes are excluded, the eye doctor can check if the patient has a brain tumor.

9. High cholesterol

This pathological process often provokes the formation of white rings around the eyes, and also causes the appearance of yellowish spots on the eyelids. Older patients will probably also develop similar white rings, but in any case, this may be a sign that the doctor should be checked for cholesterol.

McGrann says that a large number of diseases that provoke symptoms in the eyes, should convince people that the eye exam is worth pursuing. An annual check is extremely necessary for any person.