Signs You Need To Go To The Eye Doctor
Ideally, you should get your eyes examined at least once a year. Your vision and eye health can change drastically in just one year, especially if you are 50 years or older. That is why it is so important to get your eyes checked regularly. Many problems can be detected and solved before uncomfortable symptoms develop. Here are some signs that you should book an appointment with your optometrist sooner rather than later.
Headache
If you find that you are experiencing a throbbing sensation in your head frequently, then it might be time to put the painkillers down and visit your eye doctor. Several eye issues can result in persistent headaches. Often, this issue stems from staring at a computer screen for too long or setting the light too bright or dim. Remember to adjust your workplace lighting to a reasonable strength and take breaks every hour to give your eyes some rest. Severe issues like long-sightedness, astigmatism, and glaucoma can also cause eye-related headaches.
Infection
If it feels as though something is in your eye, or you are experiencing pain, redness, discomfort, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light, you may have an eye infection. See an eye doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms as eye infections can worsen quickly. You will likely need antibiotic drops to clear your eyes up.
Seeing floaters and flashes
It is common to see small, squiggly pieces of dust in your vision. They tend to be especially noticeable when you stare at a white wall or look towards the sky. Usually, floaters are not a cause for concern, but a sudden increase in them and seeing flashing lights or shadows in your peripheral vision can be. You could have a detached retina, which is a problem that should be attended to immediately. Unless treated promptly, a detached retina could lead to blindness.
Increasing pain
It should go without saying that if you are experiencing stubborn or increasing eye pain, you should visit your optometrist. And, yet, so many people do not do anything about it. Eye pain becomes a part of their daily life, so they become complacent with it. Or, they keep putting off booking an appointment out of fear. Letting eye pain go untreated can be far worse than anything your optometrist will do. Usually, the culprit is something minor like dry eyes, which can be fixed with eye drops. Sometimes, eye pain can be indicative of something far worse like a scratched cornea or a condition like glaucoma. Do not let eye pain go on for too long.
Squinting for days on end
If you find yourself squinting more like when you are on the computer or trying to read signs while driving, it is probably time to get your eyes tested. Squinting lets us see better by changing the shape of our eyes and reducing the amount of light we let in them, making it easier to focus. Although, it is not an effective or practical way to view the world. Get your eyes tested routinely to make sure your prescription stays up to date.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, or it runs in your family, you will need to pay closer attention to your eye health. Diabetes can damage your retinas, which can be detected during an eye exam even before vision loss occurs.
Do not wait for your eye problems to get worse. Make an appointment with an eye care professional at Blink Vision Care. We will ensure your eyes get the best treatment available and relieve discomfort quickly.