Signs That It Is Time to Make an Eye Clinic Appointment Right Away
Your eyes should be inspected at least once a year if you are in good health and do not need glasses. Outside of your normal checkup appointments, you should make arrangements to see an eye doctor if you notice any drastic or surprising changes with your eyesight. Keep reading to learn about a few things that are considered alarming and what the eye clinic will do for you.
1. You See Halos In Your Visual Field
If you have started to see rings or distinct circles around lights, then this something that you should see an eye doctor about. The visual disturbance is referred to as a halo and it is often seen when you look at bright lights at night. So, if this is happening to you, you'll know it when you see the circles around headlights or street lights outside when you are walking or driving.
Halos are typically the result of light diffracting. In other words, the light is reflected off the lens or large amounts of fluid within the eye, causing the lighting effect. They are often a sign of a significant eye problem. It may indicate that you have cataracts where opaque regions of the lens are refracting light. Also, glaucoma may be causing it. If the issue is the result of increased eye pressure, then this is considered an acute problem. Acute glaucoma can lead to permanent eye damage and reduced visual acuity. Other signs of the issue include headache, nausea, blurred vision, and pain around the eyes. So, if you also notice any of these symptoms, contact an eye clinic for an emergency appointment.
2. You See Shadows or Curtains
If you start to see black or gray shadows shrouding your vision or if you notice what can be described as a curtain blocking your eyesight, then this is a sign to contact an eye clinic. Both of these issues are signs that you may be experiencing a detached retina. The retina can detach all at once or it may come off little by little over the course of weeks. So, the issue may come on suddenly or it may be a progressive problem.
As soon as you notice shadows, curtains, or shrouds, speak to an eye professional. Oftentimes, a detached retina can be repaired, but surgical interventions are required in a timely manner or the tissues will start to die due to a lack of blood flow.
You should know that if you experience a detached retina, then you may be prone to developing the same issue in the future. For this reason, your eye professional will ask you to make regular appointments so the retina can be inspected often. For more information, contact services such as Northwest Ophthalmology.
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