You should be visiting the opticians for a routine eye test at least every two years. Although, it’s easy to neglect this when we feel there’s nothing wrong with our eyesight.
However, there are a few prominent signs to look out for which may indicate that your vision has worsened, meaning you might need contact lenses or glasses.
Headaches
An increase in the headaches you experience on a regular basis could be caused by eye strain or other vision-related issues. Headaches often occur when your eye muscles have to work hard to focus, causing tension in the muscles.
If you’re noticing frequent headaches with no obvious cause, it could be a sign that you need to go for an eye test.
Blurry vision
Perhaps you’ve noticed your sight has started to blur when trying to focus on images or objects, or when trying to read something at a distance.
If you’re struggling to read a book or text on your phone, you’ve likely developed longsightedness. Alternatively, if you find it difficult to see or read things that are far away, you may have short-sightedness.
Also Read: Eye Care 101: A Brief Guide to Taking Better Care of Your Eyes
Or, if you’re finding it hard to view objects both near and far to you, you could have developed an astigmatism and will need an eye test as soon as possible to determine the issue.
Squinting
Squinting or ‘screwing your eyes up’ to see more clearly can be a sign of either longsightedness or short-sightedness.
It’s common if you’re squinting in sunlight, but if you find yourself squinting at a computer screen or when trying to read a sign at a distance, you should probably get your eyes tested.
Double vision
If you are experiencing double vision when staring at objects, it could be a sign of nerve problems or issues with your eye muscles.
If double vision is only affecting one eye, this could be because you are suffering from dry eyes, an astigmatism, cataracts or keratoconus.
A cataract is when you have cloudy patches over the front of your eyes. Keratoconus is where the cornea becomes thinner and starts to change shape.
Sensitivity to light
When your eyes are sensitive to light, this can often involve an uncomfortable, painful feeling, forcing your eyes to shut when in the presence of sunlight. This condition is called photophobia and is a symptom of light intolerance.
Symptoms vary, but can often include squinting, eye strain, headaches, excessive blinking and watery eyes. There are also several eye conditions that can cause photophobia, including dry eyes, uveitis, cataracts and conjunctivitis.
Keeping your eyes in good health will help to prevent photophobia, to ensure you can avoid or cure the eye conditions listed.
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