Optometrists play an important part in your healthcare throughout your life, and the sooner you start visiting them, the better equipped you will be to prevent serious damage. Many people, especially those who are a bit younger, do not recognise the signs and symptoms of problems that they would go and see an optometrist for help with, and that is why so many eye conditions go untreated. If you share any of the following three complaints about your eyesight, then you should go and see an optometrist as soon as you possibly can.
Takes Longer To Focus Your Vision
If you are beginning to notice that it takes a little bit longer than usual to focus your vision, then you may be suffering the early symptoms associated with a number of different conditions. It could be a sign of near- or far-sightedness or something more obscure that is displaying the same warning signs as more common problems. Whatever it is, it is vital that you go see an optometrist so you can get diagnosed and treatment can start. The longer you leave eye-related problems, the more likely they are to be permanent. To get the best chance of your vision being restored back to normal, you need to be proactive at all times.
Flashes In Your Eye
This is the sign of one specific problem related to the vitreous gel that is around the front of your retina. Sometimes it can start to act of its own accord and shift the retina in one direction or another, which causes the flashes you are seeing. Often, these go away after a few seconds, but the same phenomenon will happen multiple times over a drawn-out period. If this is the case, then an optometrist can help stabilise your retina. It could also mean your retina is torn or tearing, both of which are serious issues that require immediate treatment.
Unusual Reactions To Light
If you develop an aversion to sunshine or any other type of bright light, then you could be suffering from a myriad of different conditions. Photophobia, which is what this problem is called, is rarely the major problem in itself, and its causes can seem very vague to those who are not trained optometrists. This is a problem that is best left to the experts, and simply staying inside to avoid the light is not a long-term or practical solution.
I was not that surprised to find out that all three of my children are short-sighted considering that I have worn glasses since I was five. Eye health in children is an important topic to know about because it can impact on their learning at school. I began this blog to share eye health tips I have received from our optometrist. My blog posts will cover all things eye health like explaining optometry appointments to children so they know what to expect, and how to tell your child needs a visit to the optometrist sooner than their annual checkup. Don't let eye issues stop your children from excelling at school.