Optometrists are professionals who perform checkups and prescribe treatments for eye health care. These specialists perform vision tests and eye examinations, and treat eye conditions, such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. An optometrist can detect eye diseases, and disorders. Also, optometrists prescribe contact lenses and eyeglasses, provide low-vision aids, and perform vision therapy.
Do you think you might be having vision problems? Below are the signs you need to visit an optometrist immediately. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, check this website to find optometrists and medical treatments to improve or restore your vision.
Blurry Vision When Looking at Distant Objects
If you experience blurry vision when you look at distant objects, you likely have nearsightedness or myopia. It’s a common condition wherein you can clearly see objects near you but not objects that are farther away. An optometrist can help you confirm if you’re encountering this problem.
Nearsightedness may develop either rapidly or gradually, and the condition can be genetic. In normal cases, an image focus should be on the retina and not in front of it. But if you have myopia, light rays refract or bend incorrectly due to the shape of your eyes. Normally, eyes focus images on the retina. However, in the case of myopia, images are focused in front of your retina.
An optometrist can perform a basic eye exam to make an initial diagnosis, and eyeglasses or contact lenses can be prescribed to make sure you see distant objects more clearly. Refractive surgery is also another treatment for nearsightedness.
Here are the other symptoms of nearsightedness:
- Squinting to see distant objects more clearly
- Excessive blinking
- Frequent headaches due to eye strain
- Difficulty driving at night
- Frequently rubbing eyes
- Need to sit in front of the classroom or closer to a television screen to see clearly
Take note that if you suddenly see tiny specks, curtain-like shadows, or flashes of light drifting around your vision, these are warning signs of a rare complication of nearsightedness called “retinal detachment.” This condition is considered a medical emergency.
Blurry Vision when Focusing on Nearby Objects
If you see distant objects more clearly than nearby objects, then you might have farsightedness or hyperopia. This condition affects about 5 to 10 percent of Americans. The ability of your eyes to focus on nearby objects determines the degree of your farsightedness.
An optometrist can confirm and prescribe the right contact lenses or eyeglasses to correct your farsightedness. You can frequently experience eye strain if you don’t wear any prescription glasses while trying to see things up close.
Here are other symptoms of farsightedness:
- Blurry vision for nearby objects
- Burning sensation or aching around the eyes
- Frequent squinting to see more clearly
- Frequent headaches after tasks that require focus, like reading
Don’t neglect vision problems like farsightedness because it can affect your work performance and day-to-day responsibilities. Complying with prescribed treatments can improve your quality of life.
Blurred or Double Vision
Blurred or double vision is a sign of astigmatism. An optometrist can perform a basic eye exam to confirm this diagnosis. The exact cause of astigmatism is uncertain, but eye diseases, eye injury, or eye surgery are believed to be some causes of astigmatism. However, it’s not true that you can develop astigmatism if you sit too close to the television or read in low light.
Children who have astigmatism may experience difficulty focusing on printed words, as well as frequent headaches and tired eyes. Because children may not realize they have blurred vision, parents should make sure to bring their child to regular eye checkups.
Almost all cases of astigmatism can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. The optometrist might prescribe soft contact lenses called “toric” to bend light in one direction. For more severe astigmatism, a rigid type of contact lens will be prescribed. Your optometrist will help you figure out the best treatment for your eye condition.
Frequent Headaches
If you experience frequent headaches, even if you’re wearing your prescription glasses, you should consult an optometrist right away. Your eyeglasses might not be working as intended because of vision changes or eye problems; this scenario would warrant a higher lens grade that is best suited to the current condition of your vision.
Conclusion
An optometrist is the person you should consult if you’re experiencing vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Blurry vision, frequent headaches, and double vision, should prompt you to see an optometrist immediately. If you’re not encountering vision problems, you should still go for eye checkups at least once a year, depending on the status of your eye health.