Eye Health 101: 4 Symptoms That Require An Eye Exam

25 February 2017

Jaime Allen

Everyone knows how important it is to see the eye doctor once per year. Yearly eye exams help to ensure that your vision is good. Annual appointments also allow the optometrist to detect, diagnose, and treat a variety of health conditions. However, there might be times when you need to visit an optometrist before your yearly appointment.

So how do you know when you should see your eye doctor outside of your yearly appointments? Here are four telltale symptoms:

1. Frequent Headaches

Everyone gets headaches occasionally. Sometimes, headaches might be caused by bright lights or by staring at bright computer screens. However, frequent headaches may indicate a problem with your eyes. If you notice that you constantly get headaches while reading or focusing on a screen, you might need glasses. Oftentimes, those who have frequent headaches have a farsightedness or an astigmatism. In more serious cases, frequent headaches might also be caused by glaucoma. So if your head is pounding everyday, book an appointment with your optometrist immediately.

2. Painful Eyes

Another symptom that indicates you need to see your eye doctor is eye pain. There are many culprits that can cause your eyes to hurt, so it is always a good idea to see an optometrist. Pain in your eyes might be caused by something simple, such as dry eyes. However, it might also be caused by an infection, cancer, or an eye injury. Regardless, it's best to see a doctor – because even if it is something simple, such as dry eyes, your doctor can prescribe eye drops to help alleviate the pain.

3. Eye Fatigue

Frequent eye fatigue is another reason to see your eye doctor. While eye fatigue isn't always a concern, frequent eye fatigue is; especially if you aren't spending hours sitting in front of a computer screen. Eye fatigue that occurs quickly can be caused by a variety of eye-related issues. So if your eyes are tired and fatigued after a few short minutes of reading, driving, or looking at your phone, see your eye doctor soon for diagnosis and treatment.

4. Sudden Vision Changes

Finally, sudden vision changes are another sign that you need to see your eye doctor immediately. While eyes naturally worsen over time, sudden changes are not normal. If your vision suddenly becomes blurry or you begin to see spots, you should definitely see your eye doctor immediately. It is possible that there is underlying condition, such as a disease or disorder. However, it's also possible that your eye is experiencing an infection. Either way, seeing an optometrist is always a good idea.

As you can see, there are many signs and symptoms that you need to see your eye doctor immediately. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book an appointment immediately. It's better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to your eyes. After all, you do not want any permanent damage to occur. For more information, visit a business such as Country Hills Eye Center.   

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