Symptom checker: Look into your eyes

Healthy eyes should appear clear and bright, with a slight moistness. If your eyes are dull, red, or framed by tired looking skin, it could well be a sign that your diet is missing essential nutrients. Taking nutritional supplements can help to overcome these deficiencies and ensure good all round health.

Bloodshot eyes

When the blood vessels on the surface of the eyes become inflamed, the eye can appear red and bloodshot. This may be caused by tiredness or excess strain on the eye, or it may point to a deficiency in certain B vitamins, particularly vitamin B2 and B6. Bloodshot eyes may also be caused by an inadequate intake of some amino acids from protein.

Steps to take: Try to get more protein in your diet, and take a vitamin B complex supplement to ensure you get the recommended daily intake of B vitamins.

Bags under the eyes

If your eyes have bags underneath them, it may simply be a natural part of the ageing process. As we get older, our skin loses its firmness and elasticity which can cause it to sag. However, these bags could also be a sign that you are tired or fatigued.

Steps to take: Try to get more sleep, and settle into a regular night time routine that enables you to get adequate rest. Limit technology use directly before bed, as the blue light emitted by television and computer screens can prevent the production of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Dark circles under the eyes

As well as bags, tiredness and fatigue may also cause dark circles to form under the eyes. A deficiency in iron may also be a root cause of the appearance of these circles. Iron deficiency is common in the UK, particularly in women.

Steps to take: If you feel you may be deficient, take an iron supplement to top up levels.

Dry eyes

The eyes may become dry if your job involves looking at a computer for long periods of time, or if you wear contact lenses. Post-menopausal women often also suffer from dryness in the eyes. Additionally, dry eyes could be a sign that your body is not getting enough omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids.

Steps to take: Try taking a fish oil supplement to provide extra levels of omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids, particularly if you don’t eat a lot of oily fish.