The Twitch

Have you developed a sudden and annoying twitch or ‘tic’ in one of your eyes, It is typically an eye muscle or eyelid spasm or movement that you can’t control. Doctors may refer to the condition as blepharospasm and it tends to happen more in your upper eyelid. The lid moves every few seconds and it is usually just for a minute or two.

A twitch is most often associated with stress and is a tell-tale sign that your body and your nervous system are being overwhelmed. Your twitch could be the result of fatigue, stress, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, light sensitivity, or medication, especially drugs used to treat psychosis and epilepsy

It can also, in rare instances be a precursor or symptom of something more serious. Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Tourette’s syndrome, brain damage, Bell’s palsy, and dystonia can cause a twitch. Most twitches will resolve on their own, but if it persists or causes you discomfort, book yourself in for a visit to your doctor.

In extremely rare cases, a twitch may be accompanied by another that affects the corner of your mouth, usually on the same side of your face, Usually, the cause is an artery putting pressure on a nerve and the condition will require medical attention.

Blurred Vision

Sadly, as we age, so do our eyes and their ability to focus. Blurred vision is mostly associated with this aging process and is easily corrected with glasses. In some cases though, blurring can be an indicator of something far more serious. Damage to, or problems with your cornea, retina, or optic nerve can lead to a rapid onset of blurred vision.

Diabetes is commonly associated with the condition. An August 2014 study found that 73% of diabetic patients sampled reported blurred vision, and it isn’t just diabetes. Rapid onset can also be an indicator of a stroke. Called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) this type of stroke lasts less than 24 hours and can affect one or both eyes.

Migraines, Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), and certain autoimmune conditions can also result in blurred vision or the blame may lie with conditions that can affect our eyes, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration. If you’re suffering from blurred vision, make an appointment with an optometrist sooner rather than later,

Framing your Iris

Notice a white ring forming around the outside of your iris. This one is a little tricky because it is also a natural part of the aging process. If it becomes really noticeable over a short period of time, then it can be an indicator of excessively high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, two factors closely linked to increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

Most of us don’t spend much time looking that closely at our eyes and if you do notice these rings it may simply be the natural aging process, but is still worth checking out, especially if it’s accompanied by the next item in our list.

Xanthelasmas

While not strictly speaking affecting the eye itself, these yellow raised patches tend to form around the eye. Xanthelasmas are soft, cholesterol-filled raised “bumps” that develop under the skin, on or around your eyelids, and close to your nose. These yellow raised deposits are a side effect of having high levels of lipids in your blood.

If these cholesterol deposits present prior to the age of 40 years, they require a prompt screening by your physician to rule out any acute underlying inherited disorders of lipoprotein metabolism.

Eye Floaters

Small almost translucent little pieces of ‘lint’ that seem to float across your field of vision. They may look like black or gray specks, strings, or cobwebs that drift about when you move your eyes and appear to dart away when you try to look at them directly. Refocus and they start their trip again, seeming to drift across your eyes until they disappear from view.

Again, these are caused by age-related changes as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes becomes more liquid. Microscopic fibers inside the vitreous tend to clump and can cast tiny shadows on your retina. The shadows you see are called floaters.

This symptom can be an indicator of something far more serious. If you experience an increase a sudden increase in the number of floaters you see, this could be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment. If the floaters are accompanied by a loss of peripheral (on the sides) vision or flashes of light in the affected eye, consider making an emergency appointment.

Pingueculas

These raised yellowy-brown patches occur on the whites of your eye and are the result of too much sun. Typically they occur where the colored part of the eye meets the white part of the eye. They usually appear on the side closer to the nose, are present in both eyes, and are relatively permanent.

As these are usually permanent and can cause irritation to the eye they’re best avoided. We suspect they’re caused by ultraviolet light so protect the eye from ultraviolet radiation by wearing certified wrap-around sunglasses and brimmed hats while outdoors. Some prescription glasses also have lenses capable of protecting the eyes from ultraviolet rays.

Jaundice

Probably the best-known symptom of a disease that can be diagnosed easily from the eyes. When the whites of your eyes (the sclera) turn yellow, you’ve got jaundice. The yellowing is a result of bilirubin, a yellow substance that forms when red blood cells break down.

That process is totally natural and in healthy individuals your liver filters bilirubin from your blood and uses it to make a fluid called bile, which you eventually excrete. If, however, your liver develops a problem, then the bilirubin can accumulate in your body, turning the whites of your eyes yellow.

That yellowing is referred to as looking jaundiced and it can indicate a serious medical condition, including hepatitis, gallstones (the most common cause of jaundice), malaria, sickle cell anemia, liver and gallbladder cancers, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis of the liver, commonly caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Book a doctor’s appointment.

Broken Blood Vessels

Although probably the most scary-looking symptom exhibited by our eyes, bloodshot and red eyes are most often the result of simply overworking the eye or rupturing a blood vessel from a coughing fit, or straining excessively. Don’t panic, you don’t have an eye disease and you’re not going to bleed out.

While the result can look terrifying, it will usually clear of its own accord and isn’t necessarily a reason for panic. If this occurs frequently you may consider discussing potential lifestyle changes with your doctor or optometrist.

Call your doctor if the blood doesn’t go away in 2 to 3 weeks or if the bleeding is accompanied by pain or vision problems. Also seek medical assistance if you have more than one burst vessel, or if the blood is anywhere inside the colored part of your eye (iris).

The post 8 Ways Your Eyes Warn You of Disease or Distress appeared first on Medika Life.

You may have noticed “bumps” on your eyelids or around the eyes of others and wondered what on earth are those? They are called xanthelasmas. Xanthelasmas are soft, cholesterol-filled raised “bumps” that develop under the skin, on or around your eyelids, and close to your nose.

These yellow raised deposits are a side effect of having high levels of lipids in your blood. Xanthelasmas may not be harmful initially, but they can gradually worsen, cause pain, and detract from your good looks!

They may also signal a more serious underlying health problem.

We are bombarded with information on healthy eating and on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We’ve heard about the impact of cholesterol on our hearts and the importance of keeping our cholesterol in check. 

Medical professionals constantly caution us against eating certain foods, and we are encouraged to consume the foods that will help to lower our cholesterol levels. 

What are xanthelasmas?

They are raised yellowish papules caused by the localized accumulation of lipid deposits commonly seen around the eyelids.

They occur in approximately 4% of the population. Xanthelasmas are prevalent in 1.1% in females and 0.3% in males. 

These eye deposits can begin to make their appearance between the ages of 15 and 73 years, although an increased appearance is usually seen during the fortieth and sixtieth years of life.

More than 50% of these cases are associated with underlying hyperlipidemia. These fatty deposits also gradually become larger over time and begin to cause discomfort.

If these cholesterol deposits present prior to the age of 40 years, it requires a prompt screening by your physician to rule out any acute underlying inherited disorders of lipoprotein metabolism.

The Role of Genetics

Genes are powerful, they play a major role in who, how, and why we function the way we do. Another huge component is nature versus nurture. We often inadvertently learn habits that are are not the best for the genes we inherited. Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited trait characterized by very high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

In the case of hypercholesterolemia, the foods we eat along with our genetic predisposition can wreak havoc on our physical bodies and our mind.

Cholesterol & Our Circulatory System

High cholesterol can predispose us to develop a form of heart disease called Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) at a young age.

Coronary Artery Disease develops when excess cholesterol is in the bloodstream and deposits in the walls of our blood vessels, particularly the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries).

This buildup of cholesterol forms clumps (plaques) that narrow and harden the arterial walls. This, of course, presents issues when these vessels need to be pliable and malleable to allow blood and nutrients and the elimination of waste.

If the vessels harden a myriad of health issues will follow.

Causes of Xanthelasmas

Anyone may get cholesterol deposits around their eyes. But this condition is most common in people with a lipid disorder called dyslipidemia.

People with this disorder have too many lipids in their bloodstreams, such as triglycerides and certain forms of cholesterol.

You may have dyslipidemia if you have any of the following conditions:

• hypercholesterolemia, identified by total cholesterol greater than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
• hypertriglyceridemia, identified by triglycerides above 150 mg/dL
• high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol, identified by LDL above 100 mg/dL
• high levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as good cholesterol, identified by HDL above 40 mg/dL

There are various other factors that can cause you to have too many lipids in your bloodstream, and in turn, you can develop xanthelasma around your eyes. Some causes are genetic, meaning you cannot do much to prevent them. Other causes are the result of lifestyle choices or the side effects of some medications.

Genetic causes may include:

• deficiency of familial lipoprotein lipase, the enzyme that breaks down lipids
• familial hypertriglyceridemia, a genetic condition that causes people to have higher amounts of triglycerides in their blood
• familial dyslipoproteinemia, a genetic condition that causes people to have higher amounts of lipids in their blood.

Foods to Eat in Moderation

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is produced in the body and obtained from foods that come from animals (particularly egg yolks, meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products). The body needs this substance to build cell membranes, make certain hormones, and produce compounds that aid in fat digestion.

In people with familial hypercholesterolemia, the body is unable to get rid of extra cholesterol, and it builds up in the blood. Too much cholesterol increases a person’s risk of developing heart disease.

Lifestyle factors may include:

• diets high in saturated fats and low in unsaturated fats
• excess alcohol consumption
• lack of cardiovascular exercise
• weight gain
• a diet low in fiber
• smoking

Medications that may increase your risk for developing cholesterol deposits around your eyes include:

• beta-blockers
• oral contraceptives
• estrogen-containing medications
• corticosteroids
• retinoids
• thiazide diuretics
• protease inhibitors
• anabolic steroids
• antiepileptic drugs

Some conditions such as kidney disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus can also contribute to the development of cholesterol deposits. That’s because these conditions can increase lipid concentration in your blood. Often the cause of dyslipidemia is unknown.

How is it Diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you when you first noticed the yellow spots and whether they’ve changed since you noticed them. They may be able to make a diagnosis from a visual exam because xanthelasma has a distinctive appearance.

Your doctor may also want to know if you have a medical history of dyslipidemia. They may look for risk factors of the condition such as diet and genetics. They may also do a blood panel test to determine your lipid levels.

Treatment for cholesterol deposits around your eyes

Your doctor may be able to remove the cholesterol deposits. There are a few different methods they may use:

• Surgical excision using a very small blade is typically the first option to remove one of these growths. Recovery is at least four weeks.
• Chemical cauterization uses chlorinated acetic acids and can remove the deposits without leaving much scarring.
• Cryotherapy used repeatedly can destroy xanthelasma. This carries the risk of scarring and changes to the pigment of your skin.
• Carbon dioxide and argon laser ablation is less invasive than surgery and has a reasonable success rate. It carries the risk of pigmentation changes.
• Electrodessication can be used with cryotherapy.

For any procedure, it’s important to monitor your recovery. Note any side effects you experience, and let your doctor know about them at your next appointment.

Xanthelasma has a high recurrence rate, especially in cases of surgical excision or severe hyperlipidemia.So watch that cholesterol!

The underlying cause of xanthelasma may be dyslipidemia, so your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes to help manage lipids in your bloodstream. That’s because the underlying cause of xanthelasma may be dyslipidemia. Controlling the number of lipids in your blood may help reduce your risk of developing future deposits.

• Work with a dietitian to evaluate your diet and come up with a plan for any changes you may need to make.
• Limit the number of saturated fats you eat to fewer than nine percent of your daily calorie intake.
• Increase your intake of fiber.
• Eat more protein, especially plant proteins that contain fewer calories, lower fat, and more fiber. Some examples of plant-based protein include tofu or beans.
• Reduce alcohol intake. Women should have no more than one drink per day, and men should have no more than two. A drink is defined as 5 ounces of wine or 12 ounces of beer.
• If you smoke or chew tobacco, think about quitting. Talk to your doctor about programs to quit smoking if you need help breaking the habit.
• Eat a moderate number of calories from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
• Participate in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercises three times per week.
• Do resistance exercises twice per week.

Your doctor may also prescribe medication that manages triglycerides or cholesterol.

Outlook

Xanthelasmas result from fatty deposits that build up around your eye. It can occur in people of all ages, but most often occurs in middle-aged and older adults. Xanthelasmas are generally not painful, but they can gradually build up and cause more discomfort if left untreated.

Xanthelasma can be treated through a variety of techniques. Your doctor may also recommend creating a plan that addresses the underlying cause of it, which is often dyslipidemia.

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