Our eyes are one of our most precious organs, and still, the ophthalmologist is the last healthcare professional on many people’s minds. Ideally, you should see an ophthalmologist once every year or two years depending on your age. Many issues can take time to manifest and seeing an eye doctor often allows you to identify regression fast and make adjustments. There are also eye issues that are a reflection of something much worse. Here are some examples of issues that should warrant an immediate visit to an ophthalmologist.
Poor Night Vision
The sunlight can hide some eye problems that we may have. This is why so many people only wear glasses at night. If you’re a driver and you’ve noticed that you’re having a lot of trouble seeing the road correctly at night all of a sudden, this is one of the clearest signs that you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Also, make sure that you get your licence revised to include the need to wear glasses.
If you want fast access to a professional, then we suggest you go with a private ophthalmologist. You can book an appointment with a consultant ophthalmologist through a clinic like the Circle Health Group. They’ll be able to give you an exam almost on the spot and tell you what’s going on. They also have clinics all over the country which will make follow-ups easier.
Eye Floaters
A lot of noise has been made about floaters lately and they’re the source of so much speculation. In most cases, floaters are benign, but there are cases where they should be cause for concern. Excessive floaters could be a sign of a detached retina, which is a very serious issue. Your retina could also be torn or bleeding. This is why going for regular exams is so important. It’s often difficult to tell if floaters are serious and not everyone can afford to go to an eye doctor every time they see them. However, if you go for regular exams, your doctor will automatically see if something is going on with your retina.
If the floaters are excessive or you see the same pattern for a long time, then we would suggest you see an ophthalmologist right away. The sooner they get to the issue, the lower the chance that there will be any complications.
Dry Eyes
Your eyes should always be well hydrated. If your eyes are constantly itchy and feel gritty, you need see an eye doctor. Dry eye syndrome is fairly common but it is more prevalent in certain segments of the population over others. Women are more likely to suffer from dry eyes, for instance, as well as people living in dry climates. Certain medications can trigger this disorder too. What you should do first is find some over-the-counter lubricating eye drops. Apply them for two days and see what happens. If you get no relief after two days, it’s a good idea to see an ophthalmologist.
Too Many Tears
At the other end of the spectrum, you should also be concerned if you have too many tears. Strangely, excessive tears are another sign that you may be suffering from dry eyes. Excessive tearing is an overreaction of the body. The eye should have a healthy film over it to protect it at all times. When this film is out of balance, the body will need to adjust in some way or the other. Sometimes it will stop creating tears and sometimes it will produce them in excess. Either way, you should see a doctor the minute your tear ducts are not operating normally.
Difficulty Seeing Things at a Distance
Near-sightedness is one of the most obvious signs that you need to see a doctor. The thing is that the reasons behind near-sightedness are not always evident. Sometimes, it may be caused by a genetic predisposition, but it can also be a sign of eye damage. There are also cases where near-sightedness has nothing to do with the eyes per se.
Did you know that near-sightedness is one of the early signs of diabetes? So, if you have a history of diabetes in your family and your near-sightedness is accompanied by things like fatigue, then this could be a sign that you’re developing diabetes.
No matter what the case may be, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible the minute you realise that your vision is diminishing. This is especially true if you are reaching your senior years.
These are all clear signs that you should be visiting an ophthalmologist right away. Find a good one in your area and don’t be afraid to let them know the circumstances around your issue so they can come up with a proper diagnosis.