The eyes are the windows to the soul, says the well-known phrase. But they can also reveal many things about your health. It makes regular eye check-ups even more important, so if you experience any of these symptoms, it’s time to visit an optometrist.

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1. Blurry vision

One of the most obvious signs that your eyes can produce 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. Even if your vision gets better quickly, it might still be a warning of a stroke or the beginning of a migraine headache. Diabetics who have had the disease for a long time can also experience this worrying sign of diabetic retinopathy, in which the diabetes affects the circulatory system of the eye.

As blurred vision can be a sign of several eye problems, make an appointment to see your doctor right away if you experience blurry vision.

2. Yellow bumps on the eyelids

These tiny yellow bumps are usually a warning that you may have high cholesterol.

They’re also called “cholesterol bumps” — they’re basically fatty deposits. If you visit your doctor or an eye specialist, he can easily diagnose the cause with a simple eye exam.

3.

Drooping eyelid

Drooping eyelids aren’t painful, but they can block your sight. You could get ptosis as an adult when the nerves that control your eyelid muscles are damaged. It might follow an injury or disease that weakens the muscles and ligaments that raise your eyelids.

If it doesn’t affect your vision, your doctor may decide not to treat it. For adults, treatment usually does mean surgery. Your doctor may remove extra skin and tuck the muscle that lifts the lid.

Or he may reattach and strengthen that muscle.

4. Inflammation of the eyelids

Blepharitis — inflammation of the eyelids, especially at the edges — can have several causes.

Two of them are conditions better associated with other body parts: scalp dandruff and acne rosacea. But it can also be caused by infection, allergies, dry eyes, clogged or malfunctioning oil glands in the eyelids, and eyelash mites or lice. If you have blepharitis signs and symptoms that don’t seem to improve despite good hygiene — regular cleaning and care of the affected area — make an appointment with your doctor.

5. Spots in your vision

Eye floaters are spots in your vision. They may look to you like black or gray specks, strings, or cobwebs.

Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur as the jelly-like substance (vitreous) inside your eyes liquifies and contracts. But if you notice a huge increase in these spots, see flashing lights, or a gray or black curtain over part of your visual field, contact an eye specialist immediately, as they can be signs of a tear or detachment of the retina.

6.

Red, itchy eyes

Many things can irritate the eyes, but itchiness accompanied by sneezing, coughing, sinus congestion, and/or a runny nose usually means you’re allergic to something. When the eyes are involved, the trigger is usually airborne, like pollen, dust, or animal dander. Dry eye syndrome, which means you don’t make enough tears, can be another reason.