Beware if you wake up with swollen eyes! Many diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases, can be diagnosed by the symptoms experienced in our eyes.

Stating that morning puffiness in the eyes can be a symptom of heart disease, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “During sleep, edema accumulation can occur in the eyelids at most in the body. When we wake up, we may feel swelling in our eyes. Complaints such as this swelling, which decreases later in the day, may be warnings of hidden heart disease.” Most symptoms in our eyes give us signs about other diseases in our body. Reminding that most people do not prefer to go to the doctor before experiencing a certain progression of health problems, Ophthalmologist Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil emphasized the importance of early diagnosis to prevent many diseases from diabetes to hypertension, vascular changes to clotting.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS CAN SAVE LIVES
Regular examinations increase the chances of treatment in diseases detected early and this saves lives against fatal diseases. Delay in the diagnosis of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases causes the disease to progress and results in the destruction of our eyes. This can result in reduced vision and even permanent vision loss.

SWELLING IN THE EYES MAY BE A SIGN OF HIDDEN HEART DISEASE
If you wake up in the morning with constantly swollen eyes, the cause of this swelling may be heart disease. During sleep, our head is at the level of the heart. During sleep, the most edema accumulation in the body can occur in the eyelids. When we wake up, we may feel swelling in our eyes. Complaints such as this swelling, which decreases later in the day, may be warnings of hidden heart disease.

DIABETES CAN BE DIAGNOSED DURING EYE EXAMINATION
Changes in vision in both eyes or one eye can also indicate diabetes and hypertension. Diabetes, which can cause significant and permanent damage to the eyes, can be diagnosed early with an ophthalmologic examination. Small vessel blockages due to diabetes and hypertension can also cause complaints such as double vision. The main cause of heart diseases is the development of arteriosclerosis. This arteriosclerosis can occur in all vessels in our body. Stiffness in the eye vessels or clot formation in the eye vessels can cause temporary visual disturbances. Disorders in the heart rhythm can also lead to consequences such as clots in the eye vessels. It is important for people with temporary vision loss to be checked for the risk of cardiovascular diseases and heart rhythm disorders. Stating that one should be aware of the symptoms experienced in the eyes, Ophthalmologist Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil listed the symptoms that may occur in the eye due to cardiovascular diseases as follows: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause blockages in the eye veins, causing visual impairment in the central vision or in an area. Hemorrhages in the retina and edema in the yellow spot may develop in the occluded vein area. With close follow-up and timely treatment, permanent visual damage is minimized. Treatment of the underlying systemic disease is also very important. With treatment and close follow-up, the development of new abnormal blood vessels in the retina is prevented. The severity of the disease can be determined by eye examination.

PEOPLE IN THIS GROUP ARE AT RISK OF HEART ATTACK
Especially in congenital cholesterol elevations, whitish ring formation around the iris can be seen in the eye. It is important for people in this group to have their cholesterol levels monitored in terms of the risk of heart attack and to be followed up by a specialist doctor in terms of heart health.

September 2023