According to WHO, more than 285 million people are visually impaired, and 39 million are blind. This is why regular eye check-ups are essential. Regular check-ups can detect progressive eye conditions such as glaucoma early, and this way, you can receive the proper treatment to avoid the worst.
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Continous Discomfort In The Eye
If you experience any persistent discomfort in the eye after doing any activity during which any small particle or such substance could have possibly entered your eye. For instance, if you are working with a saw or working under a car, do not be neglectful and don’t ignore it. Have your eyes checked by your doctor to make sure that no foreign article is present in your eye, or it may cause infection and lead to severe damage.
Red Eye
You might think that having a single red eye is probably less serious than having two red eyes. However, you are wrong. Having two red eyes is pretty standard and may be due to several non-serious issues, but one red eye may be a sign of serious problems. It may be a sign of cold or pink eye(conjunctivitis) if you experience red eyes.
However, these are minor infections that will surely self-heal after a few days. A single red eye serves as an indicator for deeper inflammation, for example, scleritis and uveitis. The inflammation of the middle coating of the eyeball is known as uveitis. If you are experiencing inflammation on the outer protective barrier of the eye, you are suffering from scleritis.
Blurred Vision
Most people tend to ignore blurred vision because it clears up after a while; however, this is not right. Never ignore blurred vision as it can be signs of several eye problems such as a torn retina, AMD, glaucoma, etc. Impaired vision in one eye can serve as an indication of a stroke. Losing sight or having blurred vision in one eye could be a sign of a blockage in blood supply in your eyes.
Sudden Loss Of Vision In One Eye
Sudden loss of vision in a single eye serves as a signal for various eye conditions and diseases. One such disease is macular degeneration, also known as AMD, which is the leading cause of vision loss among 65 and above in the United States. In most cases, vision loss due to AMD is gradual; however, there are some sudden cases.
AMD is due to the leakage of fluid or blood by the blood vessels present in your eyes. This leaked fluid or blood then covers your retina and the present nerve cells that aid in vision, therefore, rendering you with sudden vision loss. Another reason for sudden vision loss can be a type of glaucoma, which leads to fluid pressure build-up in the eye that damages the optic nerve.
Eye Pain
Most eye conditions and diseases are painless and only result in discomfort, but some cases may lead to eye pain. The most common eye conditions that may result in eye pain are dry eye, glaucoma, eye cancer, injury, scratched cornea, etc.
Contact Lens
When used correctly, contact lenses do not pose any harm. Most people today use contact lenses, and those who follow proper procedures experience little to no vision problems; however, serious infection can occur occasionally. If you use contact lenses and seem to experience any eye pain, redness, or discomfort, it would be best to consult a doctor instantly.
Eye Surgery Complication
Experiencing postoperative swelling, redness, pain, etc., is pretty standard; however, if these symptoms continue to exist weeks later, it is best to talk to your doctor. There are many complications related to eye diseases and so consulting a doctor is in your best interest. Even if your symptoms are not permanent and seem to go away after a few seconds or minutes, you are better off talking to a professionalist. It is crucial to keep in mind that eye symptoms should never be taken lightly or ignored.
Gray Shadows, Flashing Lights, Or Floaters
Suppose you experience a sudden onset of an increase in the number of floaters, flashing lights, or a shadow that forms suddenly across your peripheral vision. In that case, you are most probably suffering from a condition known as detachment of the retina. The retina is the nerve layer that sends the picture registered by your eye to your brain. The common causes of retinal detachment include glaucoma and physical injury. Unless retinal detachment is quickly treated, it can lead to blindness shortly.
Eye Injury
First aid is excellent, but some injuries require more than just initial care. If you cut your hand or scrape your knee, first aid will be more than sufficient depending upon the depth of the cut; however, injuries related to some organs such as eyes, ears, throat, etc., cannot be treated with first aid.
No matter how small or big you think an injury on your eye is, make sure you consult a doctor. The common mistake many people make is they brush off their injury after splashing their eyes with some cold water. Coldwater may provide you with some relief, but the crux of the injury is still not fixed. If the redness or pain in your eyes lasts more than 15-20 minutes after the injury, make sure you rush to the doctor.
Conclusion
There you have the nine severe eye symptoms you should most definitely look out for. It is through these symptoms one can assess if there is something wrong with your eyes. Never ignore or disregard even the slightest eye symptoms.