How Do I Know I Need to Visit the Optometrist?

Sometimes it’s hard to know if you need to visit your doctor of optometry. Whether you’re dealing with eye fatigue, blurriness or trouble seeing, redness, or discomfort, there’s always a path to champion your eye health.

Some individuals may mistakenly believe that if you don’t have any vision problems then you don’t need to see an eye doctor. It is important for people to visit their doctor of optometry for annual comprehensive eye exams to ensure not only optimal vision, but their health and safety as well.

Check out this advice from optometrists: 

What are the most common signs of needing eyeglasses/contact lenses?

There are a number of signs and symptoms that can indicate potential vision problems including:

• Unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms;
• Difficulty focusing on near or distant objects;
• Squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity to light or glare;
• Recurrent pain in or around eyes;
• Double vision; or
• Excess tearing or “watery eyes,”

Reading in poor light makes it more difficult for the eyes to focus, thus causing eye fatigue. In addition to improper lighting, uncomfortable seating, bad viewing angles and improper reading or working distances can add to the visual stress. Learn more about how to improve your set up.

Also, when driving, your eyes are constantly in motion, focusing and refocusing as objects approach, and contending with distractions, such as oncoming headlights or the glare of the setting sun. All this activity can take a toll on the eyes by causing them to become strained.

What are the most common eye issues?

The most common eye issues include:

• Eye pain or irritation;
• Blurred vision;
• Light sensitivity;
• Spots or floaters;
• Red eyes;
• Dry eyes;
• Excess tearing; or
• Watery eyes.

Refractive errors, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (blurred vision at all distances), and presbyopia (loss of the ability to focus up close), are the most common cause of vision impairment.

Are there any recommended self-tests that patients can do at home?

The truth of the matter is, there are a number of components that are part of an in-person, comprehensive eye exam with a doctor of optometry and there is no at-home device or app that people can use to self-conduct all of the elements of a proper eye examination.

Through an in-person eye exam, a doctor of optometry can directly view inside of the eye including the retina, blood vessels and the optic nerve, which are a direct extension of the brain.

When should patients see an eye doctor?

Annual comprehensive eye exams are essential since eye health and vision problems may develop without any obvious signs or symptoms.

Reoccurring issues, extreme eye pain or headache, personal or family history of eye disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or past vision problems are all reasons to visit your optometrist. In most cases, you should contact your doctor of optometry’s office, whether through portal or phone call, to discuss if they recommend a visit based on your specific symptoms.