These health problems can be predicted with a look into your eyes

By Susan Scutti, CNN

Updated 1636 GMT (0036 HKT) March 1, 2018

This illustration highlights the cornea, pupil and lens of a normal eye and how an image focuses on the retina.
Photos: A carousel of common eye conditions
This illustration highlights the cornea, pupil and lens of a normal eye and how an image focuses on the retina.
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This photograph of a normal retina reveals the vascular, or circulatory, system structures.
Photos: A carousel of common eye conditions
This photograph of a normal retina reveals the vascular, or circulatory, system structures.
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In background retinopathy, or damge to the retina, a slight deterioration in the small blood vessels occurs. Portions of the vessels may swell and leak fluid into the surrounding retinal tissue.
Photos: A carousel of common eye conditions
In background retinopathy, or damge to the retina, a slight deterioration in the small blood vessels occurs. Portions of the vessels may swell and leak fluid into the surrounding retinal tissue.
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is caused by the herpes viruses that infects most adults. It is a serious eye infection, with symptoms that usually occur in people with weakened immune systems. Untreated, it can lead to vision problems.
Photos: A carousel of common eye conditions
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is caused by the herpes viruses that infects most adults. It is a serious eye infection, with symptoms that usually occur in people with weakened immune systems. Untreated, it can lead to vision problems.
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This photograph shows <a href="https://nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts" target="_blank">age-related macular degeneration</a>, the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 and older, with fibrosis. It causes damage to the macula, a small spot near the center of the retina. The macula is the part of the eye needed for sharp, central vision.
Photos: A carousel of common eye conditions
This photograph shows age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss among people 50 and older, with fibrosis. It causes damage to the macula, a small spot near the center of the retina. The macula is the part of the eye needed for sharp, central vision.
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This photograph shows a white congenital cataract, an opacification (or unclear density) of the lens that was diagnosed at birth.
Photos: A carousel of common eye conditions
This photograph shows a white congenital cataract, an opacification (or unclear density) of the lens that was diagnosed at birth.
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High blood pressure can cause <a href="https://nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts" target="_blank">glaucoma</a>, a group of diseases that damage the eye's optic nerve and sometimes result in blindness. Though there is no cure, treatment in the form of eyedrops can stall the progress of this disease.
Photos: A carousel of common eye conditions
High blood pressure can cause glaucoma, a group of diseases that damage the eye's optic nerve and sometimes result in blindness. Though there is no cure, treatment in the form of eyedrops can stall the progress of this disease.
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Here, glaucoma is seen, unaided by technology.
Photos: A carousel of common eye conditions
Here, glaucoma is seen, unaided by technology.
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Diabetes can cause incompetent blood vessels, which leak blood into the retina. This leads to visual impairments. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html" target="_blank">Diabetes</a> affects 30.3 million US adults; one in four don't know they have it.
Photos: A carousel of common eye conditions
Diabetes can cause incompetent blood vessels, which leak blood into the retina. This leads to visual impairments. Diabetes affects 30.3 million US adults; one in four don't know they have it.
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