We know we need to see a primary care doctor when we feel sick, or go to the dentist when we have a toothache. But unfortunately, there are plenty of folks out there who don’t know when to see an ophthalmologist. We’re here to clear things up! Keep reading to learn a few reasons to go to the eye doctor:
- Frequent headaches: Vision changes occur slowly over time, which is why many of us don’t see an eye doctor when we need to. One thing that often does come on sudden, though, is a headache. If you’re experiencing abnormal headaches, consult your eye doctor right away.
- Eye fatigue or pain: Eye pain doesn’t necessarily mean your vision is deteriorating. That said, eye pain also isn’t normal, and shouldn’t be ignored. Common causes behind eye pain include an infection, scratched cornea, dry eyes or allergies. Your eye doctor can get to the bottom of it.
- Blurry vision: If you’re experiencing blurry vision or other abnormal vision issues like flashes of light or tiny shadows, you need to see an ophthalmologist right away. These could be signs of a retina tear or full detachment.
- Double vision: Having double vision is another cue of when to see an eye doctor. This issue is known as diplopia and can be caused by an astigmatism, dry eye, keratoconus or other eye abnormalities. Your eye doctor is the only one who can pinpoint the cause of this vision issue.
- Swollen or itchy eyelids: A few symptoms of an eye infection include swollen or itchy eyelids and red or pink eyes. These symptoms are all good reasons to go to the eye doctor. If it is an infection, your doctor can give you medicine to clear it up right away.
- Light sensitivity: Light sensitivity is often related to a problem with the cornea, but it could also be an issue deeper in the eye. Whatever the case, it should be treated quickly, because some conditions that cause light sensitivity cause permanent scarring.
- Dry or itchy eyes: Dry eye is a common condition, particularly during the winter months or in arid climates. Experiencing dry eye is another example of when to see an eye doctor, but you can help treat dry eyes on your own with over-the-counter eyedrops while waiting for your appointment.
- Trouble seeing at night: Everyone has difficulty seeing in the dark, but if you’re having more trouble than you used to, it may be time to see an eye doctor. Your ophthalmologist can perform a night vision test to get to the bottom of it and recommend a solution.
- If it’s been a while: Finally, it’s time to make an appointment if it’s been a while since you’ve talked to your eye doctor. We recommend scheduling an appointment every two years or so, depending on your age. Older adults should see their ophthalmologist annually.
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If your doctor recommends an ocular prosthetic, be sure to get it from Hetzler Ocular Prosthetics Inc. Contact us today to learn more reasons to go to the eye doctor or to schedule an appointment with our team.