6 Tell-Tale Signs You Should See the Eye Doctor

Eye doctors recommend having regular eye exams and checkups based on your age. However, certain eye problems should make you schedule an appointment with the eye doctor as soon as possible. If you’re suffering from the following eye conditions, you should contact a trusted eye doctor right away:

1. Night Blindness

Although it is difficult for everyone to see clearly at night, it’s tougher when you are suffering from night blindness. If it is becoming increasingly difficult for you to see at night while driving, or you can no longer safely navigate places you’re familiar with, then you may be suffering from night blindness. Nighttime driving is the ultimate test to tell if your vision is deteriorating and whether you need to visit the eye doctor. Professional eye doctors will be able to tell if you need new eyeglasses or if the night blindness is a sign of a greater eye problem like cataracts.

2. Blurred Vision

Are you finding it difficult to focus your vision on a single object even during the day? Do you constantly see double? If you’re experiencing such symptoms, it’s time for a trip to the eye doctor. Having blurred vision may be indicative of more serious eye diseases such as glaucoma, especially if you are above 40 years of age. More than 2.7 million Americans aged 40 and above are affected by glaucoma. Continuous blurred vision should be a cause for alarm, especially at a young age.

3. High Sensitivity to Light

You may have noticed that your vision becomes blurry when you switch from dark to light. Typically, your pupils should be able to quickly adapt to dark and light changes by automatically dilating in dim light and contracting in bright light. However, you may find that the blur effect remains for much longer and sometimes causes inflammation of the eye. The best eye doctors will diagnose if the problem is with your retina or some other external factors such as allergies, viral illness, or migraine headaches causing light sensitivity.

4. Red and Pink Eyes

You may have red eyes because of eye fatigue, dust allergies, or overuse of contact lenses. Other times it may be due to common eye infections, such as conjunctivitis, that cause pink eye. According to eye care professionals, red and pink eyes should clear up within a day, or after you have had enough rest. However, when your eyes remain red for longer, you should see the eye doctor for a comprehensive eye checkup.

5. Frequent and Consistent Headaches

Poor eye health can lead to severe headaches now and then. You may be straining your eyes much harder than you need to or you’re spending too much time staring at screens. Your local eye doctor may simply prescribe new glasses to solve your eye strain. Frequent headaches may point to a more complex problem such as eye alignment issues. You should visit an eye doctor when you are experiencing persistent headaches.

6. Dry Eyes

If you scratch your eyes all the time, and also feel like you have sand particles trapped inside, you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome. This is a common condition that can be caused by factors such as dry climate, medications, and over-wearing contact lenses. Naturally, you should feel okay within two days after applying lubricating eye drops that can be purchased from a local pharmacy. However, if the condition persists, you should visit the eye doctor to determine the root cause of your dry eyes.

Keep in mind, you should not wait until you have some of these eye conditions to schedule an eye doctor appointment. Most eye diseases are treatable when detected early. Make sure you’re consulting with an eye doctor who has plenty of experience, so you can significantly improve your eyesight and address any eye-related concerns.