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Eye freckles could possibly be the direct result of chronic sun exposure

Eye-freckles

Freckles on the face are usually seen on the cheeks, but sometimes freckles do pop up in unexpected places, such as your eyes. Freckles are usually caused due to exposure to sun, and eye freckles too are no different. According to a new study, eye freckles or dark spots can be seen in the iris, or the colored portion of the eye. They have also been linked with people who have severe sunburns’ history. Read on to find out more:

Eye freckles can be a sign of eye disease

exposure-to-sun

Scientists in Austria conducted a study on 600 swimmers in Austria and Styria, and examined their eyes to detect eye freckles. The participants of the study were asked to answer a questioonaire which asked them about their sun protection methods and their exposure (lifetime) to sun. The researchers who were from the Graz Medical University, Austria, found some interesting results about eye freckles.

The findings showed that eye freckles were not malignant, but could be a sign of eye diseases triggered by sunlight, such as macular degeneration or cataract. It was observed that eye freckles developed with age and with history of extreme sunburns which resulted in blisters. Along with this, they also depend upon the number of sunburns a person suffered during his/her lifetime.

Another unexpected finding was that uneven or scattered manner of the eye freckles in the eye. They were found to occur away from the nose, in the lower quadrant of the eyes. Reserachers deemed this was probably due to the nose and eyebrow shielding the inner and upper quadrants of the eyes from sun exposure.

People with dark eyes had a lesser likelihood of developing eye freckles. Those who had better sun protection methods, such as covering up in the sun and using sunscreen, were seen to have a lower risk of having eye freckles.

What do your eye freckles mean

Eye-freckles

According to the scientists who conducted this study, your eye freckles could be a biomarker which indicates that you spend too much time in the sun.

Eye freckles are not harmful, they in fact save you from harm, as you should protect yourself from the sun, whenever you see freckles in your iris. They will help you in protecting yourself from diseases caused by sunlight exposure. Applying sunscreen regularly, staying out of the sun when the temperature is too high and covering up with hats, sunglasses and wearing clothes which cover the body can help to decrease sunburn and eye freckles.

Experts suggest that wearing sunglasses which have a wraparound design is the best way to protect your eyes from sun exposure. While driving, the side windows provide less UV-A protection, especially on the right side of the face, and the right eye, which may sometimes lead to cataracts in the right eye and cancer on the right side of the face.

Limiting sun exposure may lead to vitamin D deficiency, so have plenty of the foods given below to keep up your levels of vitamin D: 

Mushrooms

Mushroom

Mushrooms are a great source of vitamin D and consuming them will increase your vitamin D levels. You can pan fry, bake or cook them any way you like.

Cheese

cheese

Cheese is also a food which can supply a good amount of vitamin D. So you can indulge in your craving for cheese without feeling guilty.

Fish

Fish

Fish is packed with all kinds of nutrients including vitamin D. Eating oily fish such as salmon, eel, tuna, trout and mackerel will help you in maintaining the required amount of vitamin D in your body.

Soy milk

soybean milk

Soy milk is derived from soybeans. Dry soybeans are soaked and grounded with water to produce soymilk. It is a very good source of protein for vegetarians, and has high content of vitamin D, iron and vitamin C.

Egg yolk

Eggs are healthy

Egg yolk contains vitamin D, so you have a good reason to eat the yolk now, as well as the whites.

As of now, there is no treatment to remove freckles from the iris, even though freckles can be removed from the white part of the eyes.  The only way to avoid eye freckles is to limit your exposure to the sun.

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