Are you having trouble with your vision? Perhaps your vision is blurry or you're having difficulty reading. Maybe you're seeing spots or can't see very well at night. All of these are obvious signs of deteriorating vision. An optometrist can test your vision and prescribe contacts or glasses to help you see better. However, vision problems aren't the only reason to visit an optometrist. There are other less obvious signs that mean you should schedule a visit with an eye doctor. Below are three such issues. If any of these sound familiar, it may be time to visit the eye doctor.
Chronic headaches
For many people, headaches are a part of life. They can be caused by stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, and much more. They can also be caused by eye issues. For many people, vision problems develop gradually over time. Because their vision deteriorates slowly, they may not notice that they don't see as well as they used to. However, headaches are often a symptom that accompanies poor vision. You may get headaches because you're straining your eyes to see. Headaches can also be a symptom of glaucoma or an eye infection.
Dry eyes
Dry eyes can be frustrating and irritating. Dry eyes happen when the tear ducts become damaged or clogged. The eyes are unable to create tears, which play an essential part in keeping your eyes lubricated. You could experience itching, redness, and even pain in your eyes. The good news is dry eyes can be treated relatively easily. Your optometrist can prescribe medication that unclogs your tear ducts and helps your eyes produce more tears.
Eye pain
In today's world, eye pain is often a result of looking at screens all day. Most people spend much of their workday looking at a computer screen and then spend their off time looking at phone and television screens. All of this screen-watching can put a strain on your eyes. That can lead to chronic eye pain and low blink rate, which is a common cause of dry eye issues. Screen time is very important for kids, as too much screen time can lead to poor eye development. Your optometrist can recommend solutions. They may recommend that you take a certain amount of time each day away from screens. They could also suggest blue light glasses that make it easier to look at your screen.
Ready to resolve your eye issues? Contact an optometrist in your area today.