Bothersome Little Symptoms That Should Prompt A Visit To The Eye Doctor

You only have one set of eyes. While many eye problems are treatable, you can't always recover vision that gets lost due to an eye condition. As such, it is essential for you to be proactive about caring for your eyes, and part of that is recognizing when you have a symptom that warrants a visit to the eye doctor. If you're experiencing any of the following issues with your eyes, call and make an appointment soon.

Poor Vision at Night 

Night time comes, and you struggle to see. But once the sun comes up again, you can see clearly, and you wonder whether you were just tired the night before. If this scenario sounds familiar, you're probably experiencing the beginnings of night blindness. This can be caused by a vitamin A deficiency, dry eyes, or even glaucoma. All three ailments need to be addressed so the symptoms don't continue to worsen. An eye doctor can perform some tests and give you a diagnosis. You may simply need to take vitamin A supplements or use special, lubricating eye drops. Not only will proper treatment help keep your vision from worsening, but it will make it safer for you to drive and do other things at night.

Itchy Eyes

When your eyes are feeling itchy, you might blame it on allergies or a lack of sleep. And you might be correct. However, itchy eyes can also be caused by dryness, an autoimmune disease, or even an underlying infection. You could also introduce bacteria to your eyes and trigger an infection while itching them. So, it's important not to ignore itchy eyes and to instead seek treatment from an eye doctor. They can identify the root cause of your itching and recommend treatments that really work, whether that be eye drops, an antihistamine, or immune-regulating medications.

Red Eyelids

Are your eyelids looking red and perhaps a bit puffy? This may not cause pain or irritation, but that does not mean you should ignore it. Eyelid irritation can be caused by an infection, improperly fitted contact lenses, or even eye dryness. It can progress to the point of being painful and damaging to your eyes themselves if ignored, so see an eye doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Eye doctors do more than prescribe glasses. They can also diagnose and treat the conditions that lead to the symptoms above. The sooner you seek care, the better.

Contact a local optometrist to learn more.