Eye Spy: Warning Signs Your Eye Health Might Be At Risk

Our eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, and need special care for them to remain healthy. Don’t ignore these warning signs and have them checked out by an optometrist at your earliest!

eye illnesses 

Red or Bloodshot Eyes

Everybody gets conjunctivitis or “pink eye” and it often goes away on its own, but if the condition persists after two days, causes a lot of discomfort, or you keep getting affected very often, it’s worth a visit to your optometrist.

The blood vessels in the eye may dilate or burst if they get infected or irritated, which can result in bloodshot eyes. It has been estimated that around 6 million people in the U.S. are affected by pink eye annually and use topical antibiotics for treatment.

A Stye

You may notice an angry red bump under or above your eyelid, or even on the eyelashes. This stye is caused by bacteria and can be quite painful, giving your eye a swollen appearance. Don’t leave it unattended! Use warm compressions to soothe your eye, and consult your doctor at your earliest to start the recommended treatment.

Blurred Vision

It’s okay to not be able to see something clearly from afar, but if you’re having difficulty reading the huge sign in front of you, something’s not quite right. Blurry vision can be a sign of astigmatism which has to do with the curvature of the cornea. It may also be a symptom of far-sightedness, which affects 5% to 10% of Americans each year.  

Blurry vision is an indicator of poor eye health and needs to be checked out by an eye specialist. If ignored, it can create plenty of problems for you.

astigmatism 

Sensitivity to Light

Sudden sensitivity to light can be a symptom of meningitis, corneal abrasion, or another form of eye infection.  If you notice that it’s taking your eyes longer than usual to adjust to a bright or dim setting, it may be due to the weakening of the eye muscles. This is most likely what’s affecting the time taken for the iris to contract or expand when exposed to different lighting, and causing your eyes the delay.

 

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