Catching and treating eye problems in their early stages limits your chances of losing vision. However, it can be difficult to tell whether a symptom is serious and worth having checked by a doctor.
The team at Bochner Eye Institute wants to help make you aware of some eye symptoms that should never be ignored. If you experience any of the following eye symptoms, we recommend you schedule an eye exam ASAP.
Floaters and Flashes of Light
The occasional floater, which looks like a small speck, string or cobweb floating around in your field of vision, is commonplace and usually not cause for concern. However, if you start to experience a sudden uptick in floaters and they are accompanied by flashes of light, you should have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist. The symptoms could indicate a tear in the retina, which, if left untreated, could lead to retinal detachment and possibly blindness.
Red or Bloodshot Eyes
If your eyes are persistently red, bloodshot or irritated, it might be due to keratitis, or an infection of the cornea. Or, it could also be due to uveitis, which is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye. If not treated, the infection can progress and lead to vision loss.
Chronic Pain
Pain in and around the eye should always be taken seriously. There are many causes of eye pain, including a foreign body embedded in the eye, an abrasion (i.e., scratch) on the cornea, a stye, blepharitis and dry eye. It’s critical to see an eye doctor to identify the underlying cause of eye pain.
Double Vision
Double vision in both eyes can indicate the eyes aren’t working together properly. A neurological issue, autoimmune problem or other systemic health problem could be to blame. New or sudden double vision should be checked out by an eye doctor quickly.
Unequal Pupil Size
The pupil is the black circle in the center of the eye. If the pupils look unequal in size, it might be due to an aneurysm, tumor, brain infection, stroke or other underlying medical condition. An ophthalmologist should examine the eyes closely.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Team
We don’t mean to alarm you, we want to educate you. These symptoms do not always indicate an emergency; however, it’s better to be safe than sorry. To schedule an appointment with Bochner Eye Institute to discuss any troubling eye symptoms, please call our office at 416-960-2020 to speak with a member of our team.