Eye warning: this eye colour could indicate liver disease

Eye health is best maintained by having regular eye tests. Alongside keeping vision in check, an eye test can also detect health problems before you can become aware of any symptoms. One

sign to be wary of is if the whites of your eyes turn yellow - this could indicate liver disease. Liver disease can trigger a condition called jaundice which causes the whites of eyes, as

well as skin, to turn yellow. Jaundice is caused by the build-up in your body of a yellow substance called bilirubin. But liver disease isn’t the only cause of this, according to the NHS.

Gallstones, pancreatitis, hepatitis and sickle cell disease can also be to blame. If your skin and the whites of your eyes look yellow you should see a GP urgently. You may also have itchy

skin, darker pee and paler poo than usual. Another cause of jaundice can be pancreatic cancer at an early stage. Pancreatic Cancer Action explains: “Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and

eyes caused by excess bilirubin (a component of bile) in the blood. “A tumour in the head of the pancreas can cause narrowing of the bile duct and block the bile flowing from the gallbladder

into the small intestine. “Blockage of the bile duct causes a buildup of bilirubin.” Jaundice isn’t the only condition that can indicate a serious health problem. Another to be aware of is

blurry vision. An abrupt and dramatic loss of vision may be a sign of a problem with the blood flow to your eye or your brain, according to WebMD. It adds: “Immediate medical attention can

prevent serious damage and may even save your life. “Even if your vision gets better quickly, it might still be a warning of a stroke or the beginning of a migraine headache.” The main

stroke symptoms can be remembered with the word F.A.S.T, advises the NHS. It states: “Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye

may have drooped. “Arms – the person with suspected stroke may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of weakness or numbness in one arm. “Speech – their speech may be

slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all despite appearing to be awake. “Time – it's time to dial 999 immediately if you notice any of these signs or symptoms.”

Having bulging eyes can be a sign of Graves’ disease.