Like most people, you probably don’t think about your eyes daily. For most of us, our eyes are something we take for granted and never really pay attention to unless something goes wrong with them.
But if you’re not taking care of your vision correctly and have specific symptoms such as blurry vision and red eyes, it’s time to get some help from an optometrist Melbourne. Here are seven warning signs that indicate it might be time to visit the eye doctor:
1. You have red eyes
It’s common to experience red eyes after spending a lot of time outdoors, especially near bodies of water. But if your eyes are constantly red and irritated, you may be experiencing eye allergies or dry eye. If that’s the case, an optometrist can help determine what contact lenses or glasses work best for your condition.
2. Your vision is blurry
Blurring vision is one of the most common warning signs that you need to see an optometrist. Cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetes can cause this. If you have blurry or difficult-to-focus vision, you should speak with your doctor about this issue as soon as possible.
If your vision is blurry, you may be experiencing an eye condition called presbyopia. This normal part of aging occurs when the lens inside your eye loses its flexibility and can no longer focus clearly on close objects.
Presbyopia usually begins around age 40 but can start earlier if you’re nearsighted or farsighted. You may need to hold the reading material farther away from your face or use a magnifying glass for close-up tasks. If you’ve noticed a change in your vision, an optometrist can help determine if you’re experiencing presbyopia and if it’s affecting your quality of life.
3. You have a headache
Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of eye strain. They’re also a symptom of many other health problems, which can be severe. If you’ve had headaches for a while, it’s always worth seeing an optometrist to ensure that your eyes aren’t causing them!
Headaches can be caused by several different things, not just back pain or dehydration. For example, looking at computers all day without any breaks can cause eye strain by making your eyes tired and dry out quickly. This is especially true if you use your laptop outside under bright lights, which may only be suitable for your vision sometimes!
Eye diseases like glaucoma will cause extreme pain when looking directly into bright light sources, such as those found on digital devices like phones or computers, which tend to shine brightly off projections from plastic surfaces like screens.
Headaches can happen for other reasons unrelated to one’s eyesight, such as stress, the weather, and even certain foods. If you have a headache that doesn’t go away after taking medication, see an eye care professional immediately!
4. Your eyes feel strained
This signifies that your eyes are dry, irritated, and itchy. It’s common for people who wear contact lenses to have this problem and those who wear glasses or contact lenses without enough lubrication in the eye area. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, see an optometrist immediately!
5. You see spots
If you’re noticing spots in your vision, this is a sign of a detached retina. Your eye doctor will perform an exam and determine if any other issues need to be addressed before they can treat the problem. If you have this issue, you must see an eye doctor immediately so they can fix it right away!
6. You’re getting headaches more often
If you’re experiencing more headaches than usual, it could be a symptom of eye strain. Eye strain happens when the muscles in your eyes become tired and tense.
To treat this condition, take long breaks from looking at computer screens or phones to stretch your neck and shoulders. You can also use an eye pillow with soft foam to help ease the tension around the eyes.
If these solutions aren’t enough to relieve your symptoms, talk with an optometrist about whether or not they see anything unusual in your vision tests, like double vision or blurred vision, that might signal eye strain issues warranting further investigation by an ophthalmologist.
7. Your eyes are sensitive to light
If your eyes are light-sensitive, it could be time to visit an optometrist. Eye strain can result from working too long in front of computer screens or reading in dimly lit areas.
Dry eyes are easy to see when you have redness around the inside edge of your eyelids and a gritty feeling on your lashes. Blurry vision may occur if there’s excess pressure on one eye while reading or watching TV, but it can also happen when someone has cataracts.
Conclusion
Although it might seem like an unnecessary expense, it’s worth it to get your eyes checked regularly. Not only will you be able to catch any eye problems early on and avoid them from becoming more serious, but you will also be seeing a professional optometrist for regular checkups. You will have peace of mind knowing that no unseen problems are lurking in your vision system.
