Physically and visually a lot can be revealed about our health. From our hair right down to our toes, paying attention to our features can give us insight about our health.
Usually when we discuss eyes we don’t pay attention to their color as indicators of health, but we should. Blue and green eyes might reveal health risks not associated with those who have darker eyes. Case in point, let’s examine what eye color reveals about our health.
What eye color reveals about health
Health issues related to blue eyes
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Those beautiful blue eyes can signal health concerns. On one hand, it’s been found that people with blue eyes are more likely to develop melanoma – a form of skin cancer. On the other hand, people with blue eyes are less likely to develop vitiligo – an autoimmune disease that changes the pigmentation of the skin. Researchers at the University of Colorado’s School of Medicine found among 3,000 Caucasian individuals with vitiligo, only 27 percent had blue eyes.
It’s also been observed that women with lighter eyes have a higher pain threshold. Presented at the American Pain Society’s 2014 annual meeting, women during birth were observed in regards to their level of pain. Researchers found those with lighter eyes experienced less anxiety and sleep disturbances in response to pain.
Research from the American Journal of Medical Genetics indicates those with light eyes are more likely to be alcoholics.
Lastly, and unfortunately, people with light eyes are more likely to experience macular degeneration – the loss of vision through aging. So if you have blue eyes make sure you’re taking the right steps to protect your vision!
Health issues related to brown eyes
If you have brown or dark eyes you may not want to double up on alcohol. Unlike their blue-eyed counterparts, those with brown eyes are more sensitive to the effects of alcohol.
In regards to vision, those with dark eyes have a higher chance of developing cataracts. A studied published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology revealed people with dark eyes had up to 2.5 times greater risk of developing cataracts.
One notable benefit of dark eyes is they have greater protection against UV rays, so people with brown eyes are less likely to develop damage from the sun or eye cancer. But don’t think you’re in the clear based on your eye color! You should still wear protective eye care when heading out into the sunlight.
| Eyes Color | More likely | Less likely |
|---|---|---|
| Blue eyes or light eyes |
| Develop vitiligo |
| Women with light eyes |
| |
| Brown eyes or dark eyes |
| Develop damage from the sun or eye cancer |
| Yellow eyes | Symptom of liver problems related to jaundice | |
| Red eyes | Indicate a burst blood vessel or irritated eye |
Changes in eye color linked to health effects
If you notice changes in eye color, that could be an indication of health. For starters changes in eye color could be the result of undiagnosed allergies. Yellow eyes are a symptom of liver problems related to jaundice.
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Red eyes could be minor and indicate a burst blood vessel or irritated eye. But if red in the eye persists, it could be a sign of mental illness or another chronic syndrome. Regardless you should seek out medical attention.
Overall, any change in appearance, eyes included, should be closely monitored as it could be a symptom of a more serious health concern.
We might not be defined by our eye color, but this information simply offers additional insight as to how the human body works.
