Various signs could indicate that you have severe eye problems. Most people ignore the symptoms they have and write them off as fatigue or coincidence. Approximately 16 million American citizens have untreated or undiagnosed eye problems. A little under 50 percent of Americans do not have regular eye examinations to catch hidden or developing eye problems.

Seeing an optometrist should be your top priority for the good of your eye health. Read on to know the signs that show you need to find an optometrist.

Who Is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is a primary vision care health professional licensed to practice optometry. They provide eye exams and vision tests and prescribe and fit corrective lenses. Your optometrist also helps identify and monitor diabetes and other conditions that cause eye problems.

Your optometrist can treat eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. They also offer low-vision aids and vision therapy.

You Have Eye or Vision Problems

Vision problems can occur suddenly or evolve unexpectedly. Struggling to drive at night or read signs is an example of a sign that you need to see an optometrist. Below are the eye and vision problem signs that show you need help:

• Seeing spots

• Closing one eye or squinting to read

• Experiencing any changes in your vision

• Halos or circles around lights

• Seeing floaters

• Difficulty focusing when reading

• Seeing light flashes

• Double vision

• Dizziness, motion sickness, or trouble following a moving target

• Eye pain

• Blurred vision or headaches after too much screen time
   

You overwork your eyes more every time you delay seeing your optometrist. As a result, you experience more severe problems due to strain.

You Have Headaches

Headaches can occur due to different medical problems, such as eye issues. Frequent headaches that lead you to squint for clear sight show you need to see an optometrist. It could arise from eyestrain caused by spending long hours using your computer. You could also have frequent headaches because of eye alignment problems or an old prescription.

Today, most people make a living by working with computers and staring at the monitor screens for long hours. If you experience headaches while working, finding an optometrist is ideal. Sometimes, reducing your screen time can solve the problem.

But if your headaches are consistent, you may have more severe problems such as astigmatism or glaucoma. An appointment with your optometrist can help diagnose the problem early.

You Need to Change Your Prescription

A change in eye prescription could mean you have a condition affecting your eyes or that you are aging. Regularly visiting your optometrist when you have your corrective lenses is ideal. Doing so will help have your lenses corrected and prevent the chances of having an expired eye lens prescription.

Aging can cause presbyopia, where your vision impairment worsens. The benign reason should be ideal for changing your prescription. Your optometrist can also check for macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other diseases. The possible treatment can be medication, corrective lenses, or surgery.

How Often Should You See Your Optometrist?

People with vision and eye problems ought to visit the optometrist annually. You should do the same if you have risk factors such as family history, diabetes, or high blood pressure. The same also applies to individuals with prescription contacts or glasses. 

But if you have no issues or symptoms, you can schedule your appointments after every two years. The pattern can increase once you turn 65.

For more about finding an optometrist, visit Bright Eyes Vision at our office in Plymouth, Indiana. Call (574) 936-2272 to book an appointment today.