How Do I Know If My Eye Problem Is Serious?

 As the years roll by, the structures that make up your eyes age just like other areas of the body. Not all age-related changes are serious, but when it comes to your eyes, any changes that threaten your vision should warrant cause for concern. 

Read on as a Camarillo, CA optometrist talks about the signs and symptoms of serious eye problems and why it’s best to take action sooner rather than later. 

Signs & Symptoms of Serious Eye Problems

Much like with any serious medical problem, telltale warning signs will likely take shape before minor ailments turn into full-blown conditions. The same goes for your eyes. Being able to spot early warning signs can help you take action to get the help you need and preserve your vision.

Here are a few of the most common signs and symptoms of serious eye problems to watch for:

Scratchy Discomfort

Unless there’s a dirt speck or small hair in your eye, scratchy pain on your eye’s surface may be a symptom of dry eyes. This condition develops when certain glands in your eyes no longer provide adequate lubrication. When left untreated, the dryness can cause corneal scarring, corneal ulcers, and even vision loss. 

Inflammation

Inflammation around the eyes can develop for any number of reasons, some of which include:

• Fluid retention
• Allergies
• Eye infection
• Graves’ disease

Having an eye doctor diagnose the problem is the only real way to identify the cause.

Pain

Eye pain can take many forms. Stabbing, throbbing, or shooting pain in your eyes is abnormal, as you shouldn’t be experiencing any pain in your eyes. This is especially true when symptoms persist or appear frequently, so be sure to get it checked out by an eye doctor.

Floaters  

Floaters appear as small dots, lines, or squiggles that move around in your visual field, especially when looking at bright lights or bright backgrounds. Most people start to see floaters every now and then, as they get older. However, if you suddenly start seeing a lot of floaters, or see light flashes or dark areas along with floaters, a serious underlying condition may be the cause. 

Narrowed Field of Vision

This can start out as a loss of peripheral vision and then gradually progress to tunnel vision, where you only see what’s right in front of you. Ultimately, any decrease in your visual field warrants immediate medical attention.

If you have more questions, or you’ve experienced one or more of these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to call our Camarillo, CA optometry office today.