What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Eye Problem?

Eye problems come in many different shapes and forms. Some are quite mild and will go away of their own accord, while others need emergency treatment or urgent professional attention. So, how do you know when you have an actual eye problem and need to see a trained and experienced professional fast?

Here’s what you need to know about the signs and symptoms of some of the most common eye problems that we see at our clinic.

Red Eyes

Occasionally having red eyes is rarely anything to worry about, particularly if it goes away on its own after a day or two and the eyes return to their usual color. However, healthy eyes are usually clear, so any prolonged redness could be indicative of an underlying issue. Some of the most common reasons for people to have red eyes include conditions like:

• Blepharitis
   

• Conjunctivitis
   

• Eye allergies
   

• Uveitis

You may also find that your eye redness is accompanied by other symptoms including inflammation, irritation, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.

Headaches and Migraines

Headaches aren’t actually restricted to the head, unfortunately. They can also cause problems with the neck, shoulders, and face. Although headaches are a common symptom associated with many different injuries and health issues, they can also be a sign that you have an underlying eye problem, including some which are considered emergencies. These include acute glaucoma, photokeratitis, dry eye syndrome, and refractive eye errors like nearsightedness and astigmatism.

If migraines and headaches are causing you problems, it’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor, especially if they are also accompanied by other symptoms like eye pain or clouded vision.

Sensitivity to Light

Some patients are naturally more sensitive to light than others, and some find even mild to moderate light difficult to tolerate. This is known as photophobia. However, light sensitivity can also be a sign of an eye problem. Some of the conditions that have light sensitivity as a symptom include cataracts, corneal abrasion, keratoconus, and strabismus. Your eye doctor should be able to determine why your eyes are so sensitive to light and recommend a treatment to help.

Swollen Eye

If one of your eyes has suddenly coming swollen and inflamed, it is likely that you have experienced a trauma to your face or eye. Swelling is the body’s way of protecting itself while it heals. However, it can also be indicative of a number of other visual problems, which include but aren’t limited to:

• Blepharitis
   

• Blocked tear duct
   

• Cellulitis
   

• Conjunctivitis
   

• Corneal ulcer
   

• Scleritis

Your eye doctor will be able to confirm the cause of your inflammation and recommend the most appropriate treatment.

Blurry Vision

Unsurprisingly, blurred vision is one of the most common signs that there’s an issue with your vision. There is a wide range of reasons why you might suddenly start to have blurriness and focusing issues, including conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, astigmatism, cataracts, conjunctivitis, keratoconus, retinal detachment, nearsightedness, and more. Fortunately, your eye doctor will be able to conduct a thorough assessment to establish the reason why your vision has deteriorated, and then recommend the best course of action to restore your visual clarity.

For more information about the signs and symptoms of eye problems, or to schedule an appointment with our highly trained team, please contact Seymour Eye Clinic in Seymour, Indiana at (812) 523-6100 today.