5 Eye Symptoms You Should Never Ignore in Spring Valley

It can be hard to tell when an eye symptom is something minor or a sign of a serious problem. While the wait-and-see approach works in some situations, delaying care for certain eye symptoms can lead to permanent vision loss. Knowing which warning signs require prompt attention can help you protect your eyesight.

Here are five eye symptoms that warrant a call or visit to Insight Vision Optometry, Las Vegas without delay, so our team can evaluate your condition quickly and help keep your eyes and vision healthy.

When Does Eye Pain Need Professional Attention?

No amount of eye pain is considered normal in healthy eyes. When your eye hurts, it is worth investigating the cause sooner rather than later.

There are two main types of eye pain: ocular pain and orbital pain.

Ocular pain describes uncomfortable sensations on the surface of the eye, such as itching, burning, or a scratchy feeling. Common causes include minor trauma, infection, dry eye, or a foreign object on the eye surface.

Orbital pain is felt deeper within or behind the eye and may be described as stabbing, throbbing, or aching. This type of pain usually requires a more in-depth evaluation and treatment because it can sometimes indicate inflammation, infection, or pressure changes inside the eye.

If you experience vision loss or any change in your vision along with eye pain, contact an eye doctor right away. This combination of symptoms may indicate a condition that needs urgent treatment.

What Causes Double Vision?

Diplopia, commonly called double vision, is when you see two overlapping images of a single object. It can occur in one eye (monocular) or both eyes (binocular), and the distinction matters because each type points to different potential causes.

Double vision can result from conditions that range widely in severity, from needing an updated eyeglass prescription or dry eye to more serious causes such as nerve problems, thyroid disease, or in rare cases, a stroke. Because some causes are time-sensitive, having your eyes checked promptly when you experience double vision is important.

Are Sudden Floaters and Flashes an Emergency?

Those floating black or gray squiggly lines, circles, and thread-like strands drifting through your vision are called floaters. Eye flashes may look like brief streaks of light, camera flashes, or flickering sparks, usually in your peripheral vision.

Occasional floaters and flashes are common and usually harmless, particularly as you age. They occur because of natural changes to the vitreous, the gel-like substance that fills the inside of your eye.

The concern arises when you suddenly notice a significant increase in the number of floaters, especially when accompanied by flashes of light, a shadow or curtain across part of your vision, or a loss of peripheral vision. These symptoms can indicate a retinal tear or retinal detachment, which is a sight-threatening emergency that requires immediate evaluation. If you experience these warning signs, seek care the same day rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

Should You Worry About Redness and Swelling?

Most of us have experienced red eyes at some point, whether from allergies, lack of sleep, or environmental irritants. Mild redness often resolves on its own without treatment.

However, when redness is accompanied by swelling, pain, light sensitivity, discharge, or changes in vision, it is time for a visit to the optometrist. These combined symptoms can signal an eye infection such as conjunctivitis, a corneal abrasion, uveitis, or other conditions that benefit from professional treatment. Avoiding treatment for an infected or inflamed eye can sometimes lead to complications.

Why Is Blurred Vision a Symptom to Take Seriously?

Blurred vision can mean you simply need an updated lens prescription, but it can also be an early sign of conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or a retinal problem. Gradual blurring may be easy to overlook because your brain adapts over time, so it is important not to dismiss it.

During a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will take a full history, evaluate your vision, and examine the health of your eyes to determine the cause of your blurred vision and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

What to Do If You Notice These Symptoms

If you are experiencing any of these eye symptoms, do not delay visiting an optometrist. When it comes to eye health, being proactive can mean the difference between preserving your eyesight and facing preventable damage.

Here are a few practical guidelines to keep in mind:

• Sudden vision loss, a curtain or shadow in your vision, or a sudden shower of new floaters with flashes should be treated as urgent. Seek same-day care.
• Eye pain combined with vision changes, nausea, or light sensitivity also warrants prompt evaluation.
• Keep a note of when symptoms started, whether they are getting worse, and any recent changes in medications or activities. This information helps your eye doctor make an accurate diagnosis.
• Do not rub your eyes if you suspect an injury or foreign object. Rubbing can worsen damage.
• Even if symptoms seem mild, a routine comprehensive eye exam can catch conditions you may not feel, such as early glaucoma or retinal changes.

At Insight Vision Optometry, Las Vegas, our team provides emergency eye care, routine eye exams, and a full range of eye care services for patients in Spring Valley and surrounding areas. To schedule an appointment, call us at 702-747-4070 or visit www.insightvisionlv.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Visit an Optometrist or Hospital for an Eye Infection?

While you can go to an urgent care center for an eye infection, you are often better served by visiting your optometrist. Eye doctors have specialized equipment and training to diagnose the specific type of infection, prescribe targeted treatment, and monitor your progress to make sure the infection clears fully.

How Do Eye Floaters Form?

Eye floaters form through natural changes that occur in the eye as you age. Proteins in the vitreous, a gel-like substance that fills the eye cavity, gradually clump together and form tiny thread-like shapes. When incoming light passes through these clumps, they cast small shadows onto your retina, which you perceive as floaters drifting across your field of vision.