“There are several symptoms of eye disease that need to be watched out for. Among them, there are flashes of light in the vision, sudden loss of vision, and seeing straight objects become wavy.”
Maintaining eye health is important for overall well-being. In addition, everyone also needs to be sensitive and aware if there are symptoms of eye pain that occur.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 2.2 billion people worldwide have near or distance vision problems. Of these cases, about half of eye diseases are preventable, or still require medical attention.
So, what are the symptoms of eye pain that cannot be ignored? Here’s the review!
Eye Pain Symptoms That Can’t Be Ignored
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends seeing an eye specialist for a complete exam at least once in your 20s and twice in your 30s.
Then, have your eyes checked again at age 40, when early signs of disease or vision changes may occur. However, older adults (65 years or older) should have their eyes checked every 1 or 2 years.
Here are the symptoms of eye pain that you should be aware of:
1. There are flashes of light or shadows in the vision
If there are flashes of light or shadows that cover part of the field of vision, then this is a sign of a retinal tear or detachment.
Nearsightedness, eye diseases such as glaucoma, or physical injury to the eye are some of the factors that cause retinal detachment. These conditions must be treated immediately.
According to the National Eye Institute in the United States, if not treated immediately with surgery, a detached retina can cause permanent blindness.
Flashes of light may occur occasionally, especially as we age, this symptom of eye pain is usually harmless.
Flashes that appear sparkling, jagged, or wavy may be the cause of a migraine that is not an emergency.
In general, symptoms that appear in a short time do not require intervention and are not signs of retinal disease.
However, whatever symptoms of eye pain you are experiencing, immediately report them to an eye specialist.
2. Sudden loss of vision
The next symptom of eye pain is loss of vision in one eye. This condition may be an early symptom of stroke.
If you experience these symptoms, see an eye specialist immediately or go to the emergency room.
3. Seeing straight objects appear wavy
If you see straight objects suddenly appear distorted, then it is usually a symptom of age-related macular degeneration. The condition may occur in a more advanced stage.
When you have macular degeneration, you may also see a cloudy area or empty spot near the center of vision.
In addition, the colors of objects appear less bright than before.
4. Double vision
In addition, double vision (two images side by side) is also a symptom of eye disease that you should be aware of.
The first thing your doctor will want to know is whether the double vision is in both eyes or just one. You can tell by closing one eye.
If you still see double, then you likely have monocular diplopia, or double vision affecting one eye.
The causes of this condition are dry eye syndrome, early stages of cataracts, or age-related changes in eye shape.
5. Redness or excessive swelling
Usually, red eyes are a symptom of eye disease that is relatively easy to treat. For example, dry eye syndrome or conjunctivitis (pink eye).
However, if the eyes are very red or swollen, it could be a sign of a more serious condition, which should be checked by a doctor immediately.
The most worrisome cause of red eyes is an inflammatory eye condition, such as uveitis or scleritis.
Infection or injury can cause both conditions, but they are most often associated with autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.