Vision problems affect millions of Americans. In fact, data show that about 5% of adults and almost 7% of kids have a diagnosed vision issue, including problems severe enough to take a toll on everyday activities at work, school, and social activities.
Fortunately, most vision problems can be corrected or even cured with prompt and appropriate care, including regular trips to your eye doctor. The problem: Some eye and vision problems can be difficult to detect, or the symptoms they cause might not be recognized, which means care can be delayed.
As a leading ophthalmology practice in Bellmore and Great Neck, New York, Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts offers comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages, along with custom care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Here, our team offers a quick list of some commonly overlooked eye symptoms that could mean you have a vision issue that needs medical treatment.
Dry eyes or eyes that burn or sting might seem like nothing more than an annoyance, but these can be signs of chronic dry eye syndrome or infection, especially if your eyes also appear pinkish. Without treatment, dry eyes can lead to corneal damage, and infections can lead to permanent vision loss.
Continually blurry vision is enough to make most people head to the eye doctor’s office, but it can be tempting to ignore it if you have occasional blurry vision. Unfortunately, blurry vision is associated with several eye problems, including cataracts and diabetic eye disease. Even presbyopia — blurriness that happens as we age — should be evaluated by our team to rule out more serious problems and help you find a solution that restores your clear vision.
Sometimes, eye fatigue is associated with prolonged screen time or close-up work. But it can also be a sign that you need corrective lenses or that your current prescription needs to be updated. Ignoring this common symptom can lead to worse vision, along with headaches and additional eye discomfort.
This symptom can be really subtle, but it’s important to recognize it when it happens. Colors losing their clarity or vibrancy is a common side effect associated with cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and other conditions affecting your retina. Prompt attention is critical for preventing permanent vision loss.
Like diminished color vision, heightened sensitivity to light is another symptom associated with cataracts. Underlying infections and glaucoma can also cause it.
As we age, most of us experience increased difficulty seeing in low-light conditions, but this symptom can also be associated with cataracts or problems affecting your retina. Excess glare and halos around lights are other nighttime vision symptoms that warrant a visit with our team.
Everyone has floaters — tiny squiggles that appear to dart away when you try to look directly at them. These tiny strands of protein are typically harmless, but if you experience a sudden increase in floaters or if floaters are accompanied by flashes of light, these can be signs of a retinal detachment, a serious, vision-threatening condition that requires emergency care.
Headaches are a common problem for many people, and we often write them off as a side effect of a stressful lifestyle. But often, those headaches are associated with problems that cause our eyes to continually try to refocus and accommodate a change in vision. They’re also a common symptom of eye strain or an indication that you need a new prescription.
We count on our peripheral vision a lot more than we realize. If you notice a decrease in your “side vision,” it could be a symptom of glaucoma, retina problems, or even tumors.
Vision changes can be subtle, but knowing what to look for can help you seek treatment as soon as possible before any underlying problem has a chance to get worse.
If you’re having any type of vision change or unusual eye symptoms, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts in Bellmore and Great Neck, New York, today.
