What does rings around the eyes mean

Some people with darker-colored eyes have bluish limbal rings that can remain quite visible, as well. The way that your limbal rings look as you age is related to your genetics. Beauty is always, of course, in the eye of the beholder. But some research indicates people with dark, visible limbal rings may be more attractive to others. A study showed that heterosexual women found men who had prominent limbal rings to be more attractive as partners. A research that also found limbal rings were a prominent indicator of whether or not someone was attractive.

Researchers theorize that because limbal rings are more prominent during your younger years, potential partners may subconsciously associate a person with limbal rings with youth and health. Some people find limbal rings very attractive in a partner. Having or developing blue rings around your irises is not usually a cause for concern. The medical term for this condition is corneal arcus, and it's…. If you notice a half-circle of gray, white, or yellow deposits in the outer edge of your cornea, it might be arcus senilis.

As we grow older, skin around the eyes becomes thinner making blood vessels more prominent, causing dark circles. Hereditary and genetics can also play a big role in the development and dominance of dark circles around the eyes. Dark circle around the eyes can be due to poor nutrition. A healthy and nutritious diet filled with vitamins like A, C, K, E and nutrients can help to get rid of dark circles.

A lack of sleep or excessive tiredness results in pale skin, making blood under the skin become more visible and appear more blue or darker. Late night parties, smoking and drinking can play havoc with your skin and result in dark eye circles. Dark eye circles could be a sign of loss of water from the body dehydration due to excessive drinking and intake of caffeinated drinks. Long sun exposure produces more melanin around eyes than usual, giving them a darker color.

There are two main layers of skin, the outer layer of skin known as epidermis and inner layer known as dermis. When excess melanin is being made in the epidermis it appears brown, and when there is more than usual melanin in the dermis it looks blue or blue grey. In women, the skin undergoes lots of changes during the phase of pregnancy and menstruation, causing darkening under the eyes.

Any condition that causes the eyes to itch may contribute to darker circles due to rubbing or scratching the skin around them. Apart from that, some food allergies can also cause the area under the eyes to appear darker. Aside from checking your vision for new glasses or contact lenses, eye exams also can uncover aspects of overall health. For example, diabetes can cause swelling of the macula and small blood vessel leaks in the eye. Prepare for your appointment by reviewing what tests your provider will perform.

Regular exams are essential for prevention and management of eye health. Red rings around the eyes can be caused by many conditions.

Sometimes the condition can be treated at home, while other times it requires medical…. Learn the ins and outs of MRI vs. X-ray imaging tests, including the pros and cons of each test, how they compare to CT scans, how much they cost, and…. Paracentesis is a procedure to remove excess fluid from the abdominal cavity. This fluid buildup is called ascites. Learn about preparation, recovery….

Learn more. An abdominal film is an X-ray of the abdomen. This type of X-ray can be used to diagnose many conditions. Learn more here. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O. Why is there a blue ring around my iris? What does a blue ring around the eye look like?