Your eye health is nothing to mess around with. Regular eye exams help detect potential problems at their earliest stage, when they’re most treatable. If you recognize any of these signs below, it just might be time for your next appointment.
Floaters in Your Eyes
Floaters are little spots in your vision that may look like grey strings, specks, or cobwebs that drift around when you move your eyes. Most eye floaters are caused by age-related changes that occur in the vitreous part of your eyes. However, if you notice a sudden increase in eye floaters, especially accompanied by flashes of light or loss of peripheral vision, contact your doctor immediately as they could be symptoms of an eye health emergency.
You Have Constant Red Eyes
Occasional periods of redness are usually nothing to worry about. However, if you have red eyes that persists for weeks, especially with pus or mucous discharge, contact your eye doctor. If you believe the redness is caused by a sensitivity to over-the-counter eyedrops or scrubs, try a different brand or discontinue use. Look out for preservatives and harsh ingredients such as sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) which may cause irritation, especially for those with sensitive eyes.
Your Dry Eye Symptoms Won’t Go Away
Common symptoms that indicate Dry Eye include redness, fatigue, sensitivity to light, contact lens discomfort, difficulty with night driving, and tension headaches. Several risk factors can increase your chances of developing dry eye, including screen use for over 2 hours a day, aging, hormonal changes, certain medical conditions and prescription medications. Cleaning your eyelids and eyelashes daily with pure Hypochlorous Acid can quickly reduce your Dry Eye symptoms. If you experience symptoms for longer than 2 weeks, schedule a visit with your eye specialist. Untreated Dry Eye can become a chronic and progressive condition that risks permanent damage to the surface of the eye, infections, and blurred vision.
Ongoing Eye Pain
If you are experiencing eye pain, that’s usually a good sign it’s time for a checkup. Unfortunately, too many people put up with painful eye symptoms on a daily basis. However, sometimes eye pain can be a sign of cornea injury, glaucoma, or other serious conditions requiring medical attention.
Seeing Halos Around Lights
If you suddenly start seeing halos around lights, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, especially if accompanied by severe pain or blurred vision. Halos may be a symptom of several disorders including astigmatism, glaucoma, or even cataracts, and early treatment is critical in preventing further damage.
You Have a Stye
Styes and chalazion can be frustrating and painful. Cleaning your eyelids and eyelashes daily with a cleanser can decrease your styes’ duration and help prevent them from happening in the future. You should see your eye doctor if you experience any of the following: the bump doesn’t get better after a few days, or gets worse, you can’t see well, your eyelid is so swollen it won’t open completely, or it keeps coming back.
Sudden Sensitivity to Light
Light sensitivity, or photophobia, is a condition in which bright light causes discomfort, pain, and intolerance. A sudden onset of intense or painful light sensitivity may be a symptom of inflammation inside the eye and should not be ignored. This may be caused by a foreign body in the eye, infection, or inflammation of the iris or uvea. Light sensitivity can also occur after LASIK or cataract surgery.