Instagram photos might offer more than just visual memories; they could be key to detecting significant health issues, particularly related to your eyes, according to Dr. Nisha Shah from Ophthalmology and Cataract Surgeons of Texas.
Dr. Shah highlighted that certain visual cues in photos can indicate potential health concerns that warrant medical attention.
For instance, the commonly seen “red-eye” effect in photos might be more than just an annoyance.
Dr. Shah explained, “When you take a photo with flash, you get a reflection from the back of the eye, and you want to see that red reflex in both eyes equally.”
She noted that while this red reflex is generally a good sign, “Where we get concerned is when you see the red reflex in one eye and not the other eye,” which could signal retinoblastoma, a serious childhood tumor.
Dr. Shah also discussed the importance of eye alignment in photos.
“When the eyes are crossed, you see the white dot in different areas of the cornea, which is the front of the eye. The reason why that’s an issue is children who have one eye that’s turned inward or outward, that eye can become a lazy eye,” she explained, emphasizing the need for early detection to prevent worsening conditions.
Additionally, Dr. Shah pointed out that photos can reveal signs of thyroid eye disease.
“In thyroid eye disease, one of the first things that we start seeing is something called eyelid retraction, which is when the upper and lower eyelids can have this pulled-back appearance,” she said.
Noticing these changes in photos, especially compared to older images, could be an early indicator of the disease.
Lastly, she mentioned that droopy eyelids, or ptosis, visible in photos can also be a sign of concern, particularly in children, where it might indicate a blockage in their visual field.
In adults, sudden onset droopy eyelids could be related to neurological or muscular issues, and Dr. Shah advises a prompt visit to an ophthalmologist if this occurs.