Most people know that they need to see an eye doctor when their vision starts to seem blurry. But actually, this is only one sign of a possible vision problem. Here are a few other odd experiences that also indicate it's time to see the ophthalmologist.
1. New Floaters
If you have always had a floater in your visual field and your eye doctor has never seemed concerned, that is one thing. If you develop a new floater, that is quite another thing, indeed. Floaters can be harmless, but they can also be a sign of damage to your retina. So it's a good idea to have your eyes checked out if you develop a new floater, just to be sure nothing sinister is at play. Retinal problems can go from minor to serious very quickly, so this is not something to ignore and hope goes away on its own.
2. Trouble Seeing at Night
Some people struggle with night vision more than others, but if your night vision has suddenly become worse, that could be a sign of trouble. Languishing night vision can indicate that you are developing cataracts. These occur with the lens of your eye starts to thicken and become more opaque. Cataracts are not an emergency, but your doctor will want to monitor their development over time. When they become serious enough to truly impair your vision, your doctor will likely recommend having them surgically removed.
3. Wavy Lines in Your Vision
Do you sometimes feel like there are wavy or zigzag lines in your visual field? These are sometimes a sign of a migraine, particularly if they appear before a headache. However, they can also indicate macular degeneration, a condition in which some of the important light-gathering tissue in your eye starts to deteriorate. There are medicated eye drops that can keep macular degeneration from getting worse, but you need to start taking them early on for them to be effective — so make that ophthalmologist appointment ASAP!
4. Pressure Behind Your Eyes
Do you feel as though pressure is building up behind your temples? This could be nothing more serious than a sinus infection, but it could also be a sign of glaucoma, a condition in which eye pressure rises and causes permanent damage to your optic nerves. Your eye doctor can tell whether you have glaucoma with a few simple tests, so don't hesitate to get this one checked out.
Visit an ophthalmology clinic to learn more.
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