Although 4.5 million people in the U.S. are living with liver disease, many of them don’t know that they have it. In fact, only 1.8% of them have been diagnosed. Liver disease can be hard to spot, but fortunately, the eyes can offer clues about what’s going on with this organ. Here are the symptoms you should look out for.
Eyelid Crust
Waking up with crust around your eye is perfectly normal. However, in some cases, this plaque could be the symptom of something more significant.
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease that affects the liver. It causes jaundice, fatigue, and cholesterol deposits around the eyes. The condition could progress to liver failure if left untreated. Eating a healthy diet and cutting down on smoking and drinking could help prevent PBC.
Dry Eyes
Itchy eyes can sometimes be a lot more than a nuisance. Sarcoidosis, a condition that could lead to liver cirrhosis, can cause dry, itchy eyes. It’s often accompanied by blurred vision, swollen tear glands, and dry eyes. Dry eyes could also be a symptom of hepatitis C, another liver disease.
Dark Ring Around the Iris
The iris is the colored part of the eye. It surrounds the pupil, which appears black, although it’s actually a hole in the center of the organ. If there’s a dark brown ring around the iris, this could signify several conditions, including cirrhosis of the liver.
The eyes can show us what’s going on inside our bodies. In particular, they can point out liver problems that might otherwise be hard to spot. If you have any of the above symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
