Your Eyes Can Reveal Your Biological Age, New Study Says

Batting your baby blues, emerald greens, or big brown eyes can make a welcoming first impression on anyone you meet. But, you'd be surprised to learn that upon taking a deeper look into your eyes, there's so much more information a healthcare professional can detect with just one glance.

Yes, there are plenty of observations your physician or eye doctor can make about your health just from taking an initial peek into your eyes, including determining your actual biological age. Read on to see what your eyes can reveal about your overall wellbeing, according to new research, and next, check out The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but so are certain clues for health conditions

close-up of woman's hazel eyes — Shutterstock

Apparently, a blue, gray, or white circle appearing around your iris can indicate signs of high cholesterol, while dry eyes suggest rheumatoid arthritis. Sluggish eye movement in a child combined with unusual pupil reaction could be a sign of autism, according to studies displayed at the 2016 International Meeting for Autism Research. An eye that's cloudy can point towards cataracts, the National Eye Institute reports, and if the white part of the eye takes on a yellow hue, that's an indicator of jaundice.

Related: 20 Bad Habits That Could Turn You Blind, Say Experts

The dilation process during a routine eye exam is so important

Eye doctor with female patient during an examination in modern clinic. — iStock

A closer examination of the back of your eyes can reveal premature damage to the nerves resulting from conditions such as coronary artery disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more. That's why your eyes are dilated during a routine checkup. According to the National Eye Institute, the dilation process is the only way an eye doctor can see if you have an eye disease. Then, they plan the correct course of treatment from there.

So, now you know why updating your eyeglass prescription and checking eye-related issues is not the only reason to schedule an annual examination—it also reinforces just how important the dilation process is, however annoying and inconvenient it may feel during your appointment.

It's recently been found that your eyes tell an even greater story

close-up photo of man's blue eye — Shutterstock

According to a new study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers have discovered that your retina may also provide your true biological age. "Using a deep learning algorithm, the computer was able to determine the patient's age from a color photo of the retina with pretty good accuracy," explains Dr. Sunir Garg, spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and professor of ophthalmology at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.

This data shows that a non-invasive eye exam may provide even more information about a patient's general state of health, enabling your physician to better care for you. Regardless of how young and fit your body may look on the outside, your eyes can give your true biological age away. But we're sure you'll agree—it's for very good reason.

For more…

older woman getting an eye exam — Shutterstock

To read up more on your eye health, check out 6 Best Supplements For Your Eyes, According to Experts and This Eye Condition Could Predict Stroke, Dementia, Say Doctors next.