Signs in the eye that may indicate chronic diseases

Health experts say that a person's eyes can reveal a lot about his health, from high blood cholesterol levels to thyroid problems.

Here are 3 signs that can be detected in the eyes for chronic health problems:

Exophthalmos

About 80% of all people with hyperthyroidism have a condition known as Graves' disease, which causes bulging eyes. Swelling around the eye caused by the disease causes the eye to protrude from its socket.

Some people may suffer from this condition for two years.

Graves' disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, which controls the flow of certain hormones, leading to overproduction of thyroid hormones. 

Corneal arc

If you notice a blue ring around someone's iris, it could be a sign of hereditary cholesterol. This condition, known as corneal arcus, is a clear sign of a genetic disorder called familial hypercholesterolemia.

This disease can cause yellow lumps to appear near the inner corner of the eye, which are actually small deposits of cholesterol.

Kaiser Fleischer rings

If you see a yellow-brown ring around your iris, it could be a sign that your body is storing dangerous amounts of the metal, through a genetic disorder known as Wilson's disease (WD), which leads to a buildup of copper in many of your body's organs, including your eyes. This condition is called a Kaiser-Fleischer ring, which begins as a yellow to green line at the top of the iris, before developing into a ring.

The disease mainly affects the brain and liver, and also causes abdominal bloating, yellowing of the skin, and sometimes personality changes.