When was the last time you had an eye exam? The truth is that many people don't know how often they should see an eye doctor. In a perfect world, you'll need to have your eyes checked at least annually or bi-annually depending on age, pre-existing conditions, or 'at risk' health factors.
Regular eye checks make perfect sense because it is always better to be safe than sorry. Here are four signs you need to schedule an appointment with an optometrist.
Foreign Body in the Eye
It could be anything from dust, dirt, or chemicals to any other substance that comes into contact with one or both eyes. Anything that doesn't naturally belong will irritate or scratch your eyes and may take several days to heal, depending on the severity.
A foreign object will feel as though the object is still there even after you remove it by using irrigation with cool water or by using your hands. If a foreign object is stuck in your eyes, you should avoid scratching your eye and book an appointment to have it removed to avoid permanent damage.
Ongoing Discomfort, Irritation, or Soreness
Irritation or discomfort is the feeling you get when something is bothering your eyes and the areas around it. It is often accompanied by discomfort, soreness, or redness from constant scratching in an attempt to remedy the problem.
The discomfort can be due to several reasons, including allergies, continuous exposure to irritants like dust or smoke, infections, or inflammation.
Suppose you suffer from ongoing discomfort or irritation. In that case, an optometrist can figure out the cause, provide remedies to relieve discomfort and provide better eye care tips to avoid future discomfort.
Blurry Vision and Difficulty Focusing
Sudden loss of clear vision, the hazy appearance of objects, and eye strain could mean that you spend most of your day in front of a screen or a potentially sight-threatening condition.
If you wear glasses or contacts, blurry vision probably means it's time for a new prescription, so there's no need to panic. That said, continuous strain to see more clearly is cause for alarm, and you will need an eye examination to determine the cause.
You Can't Recall Your Last Eye Exam
Even with perfect vision, you may need to take a look at when your last eye appointment was and schedule one as soon as possible. Routine eye care is crucial to catching vision complications early on.
Seeing your optometrist at least once every year, for all ages, is ideal for detecting problems since most vision complications cause no pain or symptoms and can go undetected until it's too late.
