4 Symptoms That Suggest You Have a Serious Eye Condition

According to the World Health Organization, around 285 million people suffer from impaired vision. An estimated 80 percent of these cases could have been prevented if symptoms were noticed and treatment administered. If you experience any of the following symptoms, see an eye doctor immediately.

Flashing Lights, Floaters, Gray Shadows

If you notice flashing lights, floaters or gray shadows in your vision, you may have a detached retina. This condition can be caused by nearsightedness, glaucoma, or eye injury. It is serious and if left unchecked, can lead to loss of vision.

Loss of Vision

Sudden loss of vision can be a sign of several different diseases and eye conditions. Vision loss can result from macular degeneration. People aged 65 and older are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Vision loss is usually gradual with macular degeneration, but it can also be sudden. Sudden loss of sight could be caused by a type of glaucoma where fluid builds up in the eye, putting pressure on the optic nerve and damaging it.

Eye Discomfort

If you are experiencing any kind of persistent eye discomfort, don't ignore it. It is possible you have gotten foreign matter in your eye. If left untreated, it could lead to an eye infection which is also very uncomfortable.

Red Eyes

If both eyes are red, you probably have conjunctivitis which is better known as pink eye. Although it causes a moderate amount of discomfort, it is not serious and will usually clear up on its own. However, if only one eye is red, you may have a more serious problem. It could be scleritis, which is an inflammation of the fibrous outer layer of the eye. Uveitis is another possibility. This is an inflammation of the eyeball's middle coating. Scleritis and uveitis are serious conditions and need to be treated by an eye doctor as soon as possible to control swelling and inflammation.

Our eyes are very sensitive so it is only natural that we would notice a problem as soon as it appears. You want to keep your vision and protect your eyes. Ignoring an eye problem could lead to pain, discomfort, and even loss of vision. If you notice any kind of irritation or pain in your eye that persists, you need to see visit a vision center like All About Eyes that can test you for problems. Don't wait until a small problem turns into a serious one. Your eye doctor will determine what eye condition you may have and recommend proper treatment.