Keep an eye on warning signs (UK)

"Romantics say they are the window to your soul - but doctors know they are a window to your health. The appearance of your eyes can provide clues to a host of hidden health conditions and possible dangers. Expert Oliver Backhouse, a consultant at Yorkshire Eye Hospital, says: 'The next time you gaze into a mirror, use it to gain an insight into your health - and if necessary, seek treatment as early as possible.' Here are some of the signs to look out for... a white ring around the iris, the coloured part of your eye, is a cardiac warning sign. It is called corneal arcus and can indicate a build-up of cholesterol, which is a leading cause of cardiac disease and heart attacks. Although the rings become more commonplace with age, if you develop it before the age of 60 you should ask your doctor for a cholesterol test. Little yellow lumps on the eyelid are another indicator of a build-up of cholesterol. Around one in three people with the condition, called xanthelasma, have raised blood cholesterol, which can be treated with drugs and changes to your diet"