AS the old proverb goes 'the eyes are a window to the soul'.

But did you know, your eyes can reveal a host of chronic health problems you might not have known you had.

While you might think your issue is just eye-related, one expert said there are signs your peepers can display that could let you know of problems such high cholesterol or even a stroke.

Medics recently said that your blinkers can help detect early signs of age related macular degeneration which can lead to problems with vision and sight.

GP and TV Doctor Dr Rachel Ward has disclosed five other eye signs which could reveal other killer health conditions.

1. White or yellow lumps near eyes

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If you have white or yellow lumps near the eyelids or nose this could be a sign of high cholesterol, Dr Rachel said.

"These are called xanthelasma deposits," she explained.

"These can be an indication that you have high cholesterol and it is worth getting your cholesterol level checked with a blood test if you see them," she added.

High levels of cholesterol can build up in the artery walls and reduce blood flow to the heart.

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This increases the risk of a clot forming around the body and also coronary heart disease occurring.

According to the NHS website, high levels can lead to:

• narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
• heart attack
• stroke
• transient ischaemic attack (TIA) – often known as a "mini stroke"
• peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

2. Yellow eyes

"If the whites of your eye become yellow it indicates, it most commonly indicates high levels of bilirubin in your blood, otherwise known as jaundice," she explained.

According to the GP there areseveral causes for jaundice ranging from liver infection to gallstones to an underlying cancer.

"It is very important that if you have a new yellow colour I your eyes you see your GP or call 111 straight away," she said.

3. Light bottom eyelid

When you pull down your lower eye lid, the inside of the lid should look red/park pink.

"If someone has a low blood count (anaemia) their bottom eyelid will be lighter than usual," the GP said.,

Other symptoms of anaemia include tiredness, shortness of breath, palpitations and feeling faint.

Anaemia, which is more common in women than men, is often caused by an iron deficiency.

If anaemia is left untreated, it can make you more susceptible to illness and infection, as a lack of iron affects the body's natural defence system.

Severe iron deficiency anaemia may increase your risk of developing complications that affect the heart or lungs, such as an abnormally fast heartbeat or heart failure.

Pregnant women with severe or untreated anaemia also have a higher risk of complications before and after birth.

4. Compromised eye sight

If fields of your vision appear to be missing, you could have had a stroke, GP Rachel explains.

"Vision is a complex neurological process with a dedicated area in the brain and also several nerves which control eye movements and the pupils," she says.

If you have a stroke (bleed to the brain or lack of blood going to a part of the brain) in one of these areas, your vision will be affected," she adds.

"This may not be obvious until your vision is tested.

"If your eye movements are affected you can get double vision due to the movement of both eyes being out of sync," she adds.

A stroke an have different effects depending on where in the brain this damage occurs.

It can change how you think and feel, and cause speech problems or a weakness on one side.

For some, the effects of a stroke can be relatively minor and will fade quickly, but others can be left with problems that leave them dependent on other people.

Around one in eight people who suffer a stroke die within 30 days, so it is vital to get medical assistance as soon as possible – the sooner somebody is treated, the more likely they are to survive.

5. Bulging eyes

Having bulging eyes can be indicative of an overactive thyroid.

One in every three people who have an overactive thyroid gland will have thyroid eye disease – Grave’s disease, the GP says.

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"In Grave’s the eyes appear to be bulging (exophthalmos), the eyes feel dry and gritty and there can be double vision. If this occurs you will be manage by an ophthalmologist, eye specialist," she adds.

Many cases are mild and get better as your overactive thyroid is treated, but for around one in every 20 to 30 cases there's a risk of blindness.

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