हिंदी में पढ़ें: कब तुरंत आंखों के डॉक्टर से मिलें?
It goes without saying that our eyes connect us to the world outside our body. They help us enjoy the world around us. Yet so many of us still ignore the warning signs of eye issues when we first experience them, thinking they’ll subside in a few days. But what we fail to understand is that many serious eye conditions can develop with subtle symptoms (sometimes, even none) and can lead to severe vision impairment or loss if not treated in a timely manner.
In this blog, we are going to go over some signs you should never ignore. If you or someone you know notices any one of these symptoms, you must seek immediate medical care from a trusted eye doctor.
Sudden Blurry Vision
If you notice sudden changes in your vision, like unclear, distorted, or impaired vision – you must treat it as an emergency!
This may be a sign of retinal issues, a sudden increase in IOP (eye pressure) because of glaucoma, or optic nerve-related problems. A retinal detachment is often painless and can cause floating spots, flashes of light, or shadows across your field of vision. Glaucoma, on the other hand, typically causes tunnel vision owing to damage to the optic nerve because of high IOP.
Timely checkup and treatment can save your vision from deteriorating further.
Peripheral Vision Loss or Diminishing Night Vision
Experiencing diminishing side vision or difficulty seeing at night? It could be a symptom of glaucoma. Often known as the “silent thief of sight”, glaucoma is typically only detected once it has progressed significantly. Vision damage caused by the condition is permanent and cannot be reversed – it can only be stopped or delayed from progressing at an aggressive rate.
This is why ophthalmologists stress the importance of regular IOP, optic nerve, and visual field check-ups. If caught early, treatment is proven to be effective in controlling the condition.
Persistent Eye Pressure, Pain, or Redness
Some irritation after a long day of screen use or dryness is normal. However, if you notice persistent or severe pain in your eyes – DON’T ignore it! It could be pointing to inflammation, infection, or potentially even acute glaucoma.
Common causes of eye pain are:
- Physical injury or exposure to harmful chemicals.
- Keratitis or uveitis: conditions that can cause inflammation, redness, pain, and light sensitivity. Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye & can have several causes. Keratitis may be infectious or non-infectious.
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma: blocked drainage of fluid from the eye leads to pain, redness, and unclear vision.
Light Flashes, Floaters, or Shadows
Occasional small floaters in your vision are generally not a cause for major concern, especially if you’re myopic.
| 👉 A few occasional floaters that don’t affect your vision may be normal, but it’s important to note that myopia (nearsightedness) itself increases the risk of retinal problems, and sudden changes in floaters should be checked. |
However, if you suddenly see big or multiple floaters along with a dark shadow or flashes of light in your vision, it could point to a detached retina.
| 👉 The retina is a layer of thin, light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It catches the light focused by the lens and turns it into electrical signals. These signals are then sent to the brain through the optic nerve, where they are processed into images, thereby enabling us to see what is in front of us. |
Headaches, Double Vision, or Difficulty Focusing Vision
If you experience persistent headaches, double vision, or difficulty focusing, it could be more than just computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain. Such signs could indicate eye-related, neurological, vascular, metabolic, or other underlying conditions, such as diabetes, muscle imbalance, refractive errors, or nerve-related eye problems.
If not addressed in a timely manner, these symptoms could lead to serious implications.
Why Choose Sohana Hospital?
Sohana Hospital has essentially shaped the eye care landscape in the North Indian region with a legacy of over 30 years. Established in 1995, the institution has been at the forefront of eye care, providing quality eye care to people of all ages.
Be it a regular checkup, myopia management, paediatric eye care, or more serious conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, or other retina-related issues, we make sure your eyes get the best care at the most affordable prices in the region.
Often hailed as one of the oldest and best eye hospitals in Chandigarh, the institution boasts a team of 13+ eye specialists who excel in providing quality care for complex eye conditions.
Annual eye checkups are a must for every adult – regardless of whether you experience any noticeable symptoms or not. However, if you do notice sudden changes, seek immediate medical attention.
Any eye issues? Don’t delay your visit to an eye doctor! Timely treatment can save your vision.
