Visit an Eye Doctor

Oftentimes, people will only bother going to the eye doctor when their vision is already falling apart. However, vision problems are not the only symptoms that can confirm that you’re dealing with eye issues.

Many conditions actually start out without any obvious symptoms. Reputable doctors like those from robbinseye.com highly recommend that you don’t miss your annual eye check-up. This helps detect unnoticeable eye abnormalities before they get worse.

If you’re dealing with recurring issues, on the other hand, it’s best not to wait.

Common Symptoms of Eye Problems

People have the tendency to ignore symptoms if they’re still able to go through their daily routines. However, with eyesight problems, that’s not really an easy thing to do. Good vision is almost always necessary for safety and productivity.

Listed below are the most common signs that you’re due for an appointment with the eye doctor:

Frequent Headaches

If you’ve been feeling headache pains behind your brows or eyes, that might be a sign that you’re dealing with eye troubles. Some of its causes include:

  • Staring too long at digital devices (computers, tablets, mobile phones, etc.)
  • Working with the wrong lighting (overly dim or overly bright)
  • Astigmatism
  • Far-sightedness
  • Glaucoma

The blue light from digital devices usually keeps your eyes strained day and night. For this, following some eye care tips is usually enough to solve the issue. If the pains aren’t gadget-related, vision correction is normally the answer.

Eye Infections

This is one of those conditions that you don’t want to ignore because things can get nasty really quick. Here are some signs that your eye might be infected:

  • Redness
  • Discharge
  • Light sensitivity
  • Blurry vision
  • Feeling like there’s something in your eye

Depending on the case, antibiotic treatment may be needed.

Eye Fatigue

This may already be a recurring condition for you if your job involves spending long amounts of time in front of the computer. Eye fatigue typically happens because of blurred vision. In such cases, you’ll need to blink frequently to get certain objects on focus.

Nowadays, mobile phone addiction may be the most common cause of eye fatigue. This can be improved by taking breaks from gadgets or changing the light settings of your device. However, if the fatigue continues even with those adjustments, see your doctor immediately.

Frequent Squinting

You may need to squint more often when you look at the computer or when you need to look at road signs.

People usually do this in a subconscious effort to see more clearly. If you notice that you’ve been squinting more than usual, it might be time to get a new pair of glasses.

Inaccurate or Inconsistent Vision

One moment, everything’s clear. The next moment, everything’s a blur. It could also be that you’re seeing wavy lines when they’re supposed to be straight.

Such inconsistencies in vision may be due to dry eye and astigmatism. Other more serious causes include:

  • Untreated diabetes: The eye’s lenses swell because of high blood sugar, causing vision difficulties. Regulating blood sugar levels usually solves the problem.
  • Double vision: This may be a sign of issues with the eye muscles or cornea.
  • Wavy vision: If lines suddenly appear wavy and distorted, it may be due to macular degeneration.

If you’re dealing with any of the things mentioned above, the eye doctor will be able to help you find the right treatment.

Night Vision Issues

You know you’ve got a real problem when you’re having a hard time seeing things at night, especially when you’re driving. Fading night vision is usually an early sign of cataracts.

Since having functional eyesight at night is a huge safety concern, it’s best to have your condition examined before it compromises your well-being.

Brightness Adjustment Difficulties

Visit an Eye Doctor

It usually takes a few minutes before your eyes can adjust to the brightness or darkness of your current environment. However, if you’ve noticed that it now takes longer for your eyes to adjust after being exposed to bright lights, then there might be a problem.

When your eyes are having trouble with brightness adjustments, it generally means that the muscles responsible for expanding and contracting your iris have become weak. Oftentimes, this eye issue is age-related, but it can happen to anyone regardless of age.

Bright Flashes, Floaters, and Halos

If you’re seeing an increased number of halos, floaters, and bright flashes of lights where they shouldn’t be, you might be experiencing symptoms of cataracts or detached retinas.

This is something that no lifestyle improvement can solve. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss. Don’t wait and go to your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Other Signs of Vision Issues

Mobility

  • Hard time walking on uneven surfaces
  • Stepping with hesitation
  • Feet shuffling
  • Overreaching or under reaching when trying to retrieve objects
  • Brushing against or bumping into walls
  • Cautious movement on staircases

Daily Activities

  • Head tilting or squinting when focusing on something
  • Difficulty recognizing objects and faces
  • Difficulty locating personal things, even in known settings
  • Uncertainty when reaching out for things
  • Difficulty recognizing colors
  • Inability to engage in activities that require good vision, such as reading, walking, driving, sports, etc.

Reading and Writing

  • Reading materials at an angle or too close to the face
  • Writing less legibly or missing paper lines
  • Inability to read properly under light settings that worked great before
  • Loss of interest in reading because of poor vision

Meal Times

  • Difficulty cutting or slicing food
  • Spilling food and drinks
  • Knocking glasses when trying to reach other items on the table

Conclusion: Don’t Ignore What You’re (Not) Seeing!

You may think that your recent eye pain and vision lapses are ignorable, but it could get worse if you don’t have it checked right away.

Don’t wait until the symptoms prevent you from being productive at work or enjoying your favorite hobbies. Set an appointment with your eye doctor soon and see the world around you for what it should be!

1 COMMENT

  1. It was very alarming to read that seeing things like halos and floaters must be treated immediately because they can lead to permanent vision loss. Previously, I had just thought that those weird bright circles I keep seeing whenever I stand up were normal and that I should just put up with them. Now that I know how dangerous this can be, I’ll start looking for any eye doctors in my area that can help me find out why this is happening and hopefully get some treatment.