Top Signs You Need to See an Optometrist
Not sure if it's time to pay a visit to the eye doctor? Check out six eye health signs that shouldn't be ignored.
Blurry or Fluctuating Vision
Do you squint when you read? You may have a refractive error like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, or presbyopia, an age-related condition that causes blurry vision close up starting around age 40. Correcting blurry vision due to refractive errors can be as simple as wearing prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Blurry vision can also happen if you have dry eye, eye strain, high blood sugar, eye injuries, infections, concussions, migraines, or an eye disease.
Headaches
Headaches that mostly occur after you read, use the computer, drive, or focus intently can be due to refractive vision errors. The eyes and eye muscles must work harder than usual if you have an untreated refractive error. As a result, you may develop eye strain. In addition to headaches, eye strain symptoms include:
- Burning, Itchy, Red Eyes
- Blurry or Double Vision
- Light Sensitivity
- Stiff, Sore Muscles in Your Upper Back, Shoulders and Neck
- Trouble Concentrating
- Difficulty Keeping Your Eyes Open
Eye Pain
Any eye pain, even pain that comes and goes, should be evaluated by your optometrist as soon as possible. Possible causes of eye pain include eye injury, infection, a scratched cornea, an inflamed optic nerve, or angle-closure glaucoma. Eye pain isn't always a sign of a serious eye condition. Your eye may hurt due to dry eye, allergies, eye strain, or a stray eyelash in your eye.
Faded Colors
Do colors look less vibrant to you? Dull vision can be caused by cataracts. Cataracts happen when the clear lens in the eye becomes hazy and yellow. If cataracts severely affect your vision, surgery may be recommended. During the surgery, your cloudy lens is replaced with a clear artificial lens.
Changes in color vision may also be caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in people 50 and older, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. AMD affects the macula, the part of the retina responsible for good central and color vision. Your optometrist can recommend treatments and strategies to slow or prevent vision loss if you're diagnosed with AMD.
Vision Loss
Have you noticed a blurry, dark, or blank spot in your visual field? Vision loss can be a sign of a serious vision problem and may be caused by:
- Glaucoma. Primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common type, causes gradual vision loss. Glaucoma occurs when high pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve. Prompt treatment of glaucoma can prevent or reduce vision loss.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD damages a person's central vision. As AMD worsens, you may notice blurry or blank spots in the center part of your vision.
- Cataracts. Cataracts don't usually cause any noticeable changes in vision in the early stages. As the lens becomes cloudier, your vision may become very blurry.
- Detached Retina You may experience a sudden loss of vision if your retina tears or detaches from the back of the eye. The sooner you receive treatment, the better the chance of a successful reattachment.
- Eye Injuries or Infections. Vision loss and changes can occur after an eye injury or may be a result of an infection in some part of your eye. Immediate treatment is necessary to protect your vision.
Floaters and Flashes
Do you see occasional flashes of light or wispy strings or shapes that float in front of your eyes? Both floaters and flashes are common signs of aging. If they occur infrequently, these symptoms are no cause for alarm, but a sudden onset of many floaters or constant flashes could be symptoms of serious eye problems. Although floaters and flashes are usually nothing to worry about, it's a good idea to mention them to your optometrist, particularly if you see a sudden burst of many floaters and flashing lights. An increase in floaters and flashes could mean you have a detached retina.
Do any of these signs sound familiar? Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.
Sources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Understanding Macular Degeneration, 11/25/2025
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/amd-macular-degeneration
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Why Exams Are Important, 5/15/2024
https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health/about-eye-disorders/why-eye-exams-are-important.html
American Optometric Association: Chalazion
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/chalazion
All About Vision: Blurry Vision, 3/4/3034
https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/symptoms/blurry-vision/overview-of-cloudy-vision/