When to Visit the Eye Doctor
When visiting an optometrist, you may be surprised at what they can determine about your health just by looking at your eyes. Because the eyes have so many tiny blood vessels, if there are issues with the blood flow from other parts of the body, this will affect your eyes! Your eye doctor can see signs of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and even cancer, just with a comprehensive eye exam.
A regular visit to your optometrist is not only good for your health, but can prevent further problems down the road. If it’s been a while since your last eye exam, it might be worth having a checkup. Here are some more reasons why you should schedule an appointment at Vision Care Centre.
You Always Have Headaches
Headaches can be a sign of various problems in your body. If you are struggling with persistent headaches and have exhausted all other reasons, it could be due to strain you are putting on your eyes. Eye strain can have varied causes, including staring at the computer for too long or working with very bright or dim lighting. Changes in eyesight often occur gradually so a patient may not notice right away. Recurring headaches can be a sign of changes in your eyesight and should be checked with an eye exam.
Squinting
Not just squinting because you’re driving into the sun, but because you are having difficulties seeing clearly. Patients will squint because closing the eye slightly reduces light entering into the eye and minimizes light scattering which improves vision. This is often the first sign that a child needs to see an optometrist. This, in addition to a lazy eye, is more serious and should be checked out as soon as possible as it can lead to permanent vision loss.
Floaters or Flashes of Light
Everyone has looked at a light for slightly too long, looked away and caught a glimpse of a floater or a flash of light in their vision. If you suddenly begin to experience these floaters more frequently, schedule an eye exam right away. This could be a sign of more serious disorders that could cause vision loss such as retinal detachment, retinal tear, or retinal hole. Consult with an optometrist as soon as possible.
Eye Pain or Fatigue
If you have eye pain or fatigue that lasts more than a few days or occurs with eye movements, it’s time to see an eye doctor. Pain or fatigue in your eyes can be a sign of infection or a more serious condition or a sign that your vision is changing.
Blurry Vision
This might be more obvious, but still none the less serious. Letting problems with vision go untreated will only cause them to become worse, endangering yourself and others around you. Blurred vision may come and go, but should still be checked out with an eye exam.
If you are experiencing changes in your vision or are struggling with pain, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with Vision Care Centre. Call us today for an eye exam.