What does your eye discolouration say about your health?

Indianexpress.com spoke to Dr Jagdish Sakhiya, Gujrat, Member of DocTube, to understand the potential causes of under eye darkness and how to treat them.

According to Sakhiya, eye discoloration can have various causes, and treatment and prevention depend on the underlying reason.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)

This can be caused due to bacterial or viral infection, allergies, or irritants. Antibiotic or antiviral eye drops or ointments for bacterial or viral infections respectively. Allergic conjunctivitis may be treated with antihistamine eye drops.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

Resulting due to burst blood vessel in the eye, it usually resolves on its own without treatment.

Pinguecula or Pterygium

Benign growths on the conjunctiva due to UV exposure, dryness, or wind exposure that can be treated by lubricating eye drops or ointments to relieve symptoms. Surgical removal may be necessary in severe cases.

According to Sakhiya, eye discoloration can have various causes, and treatment and prevention depend on the underlying reason. (Source: Freepik)

Iris Color Changes

Rare conditions like heterochromia (different colored eyes) or conditions affecting the iris pigment.

Scleral Discoloration

Conditions like scleritis or scleral melanocytosis depend on the underlying cause and may involve medications to reduce inflammation or surgical interventions in some cases.

Nathan shared that while genetic factors can influence eye color and certain eye conditions, other factors such as aging, diseases, injuries, and environmental exposures can also contribute to changes or discoloration in the eyes.

Key things to keep in mind while treating under eye darkness

She suggested starting off by determining if the darkness is due to genetics, pigmentation, thin skin, allergies, fatigue, or another underlying issue.

“Use gentle skincare products specifically formulated for the delicate under eye area. Moisturize to keep the skin hydrated,” she said.

Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen or wear sunglasses to protect the under eye area from UV damage, which can worsen pigmentation.

Topical Treatments: Use creams or serums containing ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide, or peptides to improve skin texture and reduce dark circles.

Allergy Management: If allergies contribute to dark circles, manage allergies with antihistamines or avoid allergens.

Sleep and Lifestyle: Ensure adequate sleep and manage stress levels. Sleep deprivation and stress can exacerbate dark circles.