Doctor reveals symptom of bizarre condition that makes your eyes look like the night sky
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@itsdrmax
The make up of the eye is extremely complex, and there are hundreds of different conditions you can develop.
Some common conditions that people suffer with include color blindness, cataracts and astigmatism, but there's one in particular that you're probably unaware of.
This condition is called Asteroid hyalosis (AH) and no, it doesn't have anything to do with outer space.
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And according to TikTok doctor Dr. Max, the unusual condition affects around two in 100 people.
Elsewhere, varies studies have suggested that the prevalence of asteroid hyalosis in the adult population is around 0.8 percent to 2.0 percent.
In his video, Dr. Max shares the three things he thinks you could know about the condition.
"Number one: it's more common than you think," he began. "For every 100 of you watching [this video], two of you will develop the condition at some point in your lives."
The second fact is that doctors like him don't really know why some people develop the condition.
It's also good to know that there aren't any symptoms to Asteroid hyalosis - except from the 'occasional floaters', Dr. Max explained.
While it's reasonably common, there's a good chance you won't spot it for yourself.
The Cleveland Clinic explains: "AH rarely causes symptoms. Most people only learn they have it when a healthcare provider notices the reflection of the particles while looking into their eyes."
The site adds that the condition is most likely to be spotted during a routine physical exam or during an eye test.
Videos showing someone shining a light on the pupil of a person with the condition shows a starry night sky-like eye, with the star element being floaters.
AH can affect dogs, cats, horses, and chinchillas as well as humans.
While there isn't a key cause of AH, there are things that can make you more at risk of it: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Researchers have also found that the condition is more common in men, and those aged 60 and over.
While AH doesn't have any glaringly obvious symptoms, other conditions usually do.
For example with astigmatism, symptoms usually include blurred or distorted vision, eyestrain or discomfort, headaches, and difficulty with night vision.
Another common symptom to do with night vision is seeing beams coming off from a light source - almost as if it's been smudged slightly.
Just something to keep an eye out for folks (pun intended).