Most people are familiar with getting their eye exam every couple of years. These appointments help to ensure your vision stays sharp and healthy. But what if you last had an eye appointment two or more years ago? This could be a sign that it’s time to book an appointment.
You’re Getting More Frequent Headaches
While it’s easy to think that a headache is just a normal part of life, frequent headaches could indicate it’s time for an eye exam. Blurry vision can often cause headaches; if the blurriness worsens over time, it could be a sign of a serious problem like glaucoma or cataracts. Headaches accompanied by visual disturbances such as flashing lights or zigzag patterns are signs that it’s time to visit your optometrist. These symptoms are often early warning signs of a problem and can indicate the presence of eye diseases or health problems such as retinal tears, lack of blood supply to the optic nerve, and even strokes. Searching for the best rated optometrist near me as soon as possible can prevent these issues from becoming serious and potentially irreversible.
You’re Having Difficulty Reading
If you’re having difficulty seeing clearly at home or work, it’s a sign that something may be up. This could be a simple eye infection or a more serious condition you must check out immediately. If you have trouble adjusting between different lighting conditions, this also needs to be looked at by an optometrist immediately. It’s normal to see a bit of fuzziness in your vision occasionally, but this should only last briefly. If you’re constantly squinting, this is not only a cause of headaches but can also lead to other serious issues, such as eye strain. This is why making regular appointments with your optometrist is important to prevent these problems.
You’re Having Difficulty Driving at Night
Difficulty driving at night is one of the most obvious signs that it’s time to visit your optometrist and check your eyes. It could be a sign of something as simple as needing prescription eyeglasses or a symptom of a more serious problem that will require medical treatment immediately. This is especially true if you’re experiencing difficulty with night vision because of conditions like astigmatism (an oblong shape that distorts light entering the eye) or presbyopia (which becomes more common with age and makes it difficult to focus on close objects). Also, watch out for halos around lights—these can indicate cataracts, which can cause blindness if not treated early on. Frequent headaches can indicate that you have an eye condition, such as dry eye syndrome or glaucoma. These symptoms should never be ignored and must be addressed by your optometrist as soon as possible.
You’re Having More Eye Infections
If you’re having more eye infections, it may be a sign that you’re not getting enough rest or working too hard. You should also see your optometrist if you’re experiencing pain, itching, watery eyes, or yellow or greenish discharge. Sometimes, these symptoms may be signs of a serious infection, such as viral pink eye. You rely on your eyesight daily, so scheduling regular appointments is important to ensure your vision is healthy. Visiting your optometrist can pick up on issues that might not appear on general physical exams, such as changes in your vision or frequent headaches.
You’re Having Changes in Your Vision
If you’re noticing changes in your vision, it’s time to check your eyes. Blurry, glare, or double vision can indicate that your eye health is declining, leading to serious problems. Infrequent eye pain, strain, or headaches aren’t a big deal, but if they become recurring, it’s time to book an appointment with your optometrist. It may be a sign of an eye infection or an underlying medical issue like diabetes or lupus. Seeing little dark spots or squiggly lines in your field of vision (known as floaters) isn’t usually a big deal. Still, if flashes of light accompany them, it’s a medical emergency, and you should visit the hospital immediately.
