4 Good Reasons to See Your Eye Doctor

How often do you see your eye doctor? It’s one appointment you may delay because you don’t think anything is wrong with your eyes. However, there’s a lot more going on with the eyes than just how well you see. The right doctor can learn a lot about your health by looking at your eyes, including finding the early signs of health conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, jaundice, and irregular blood pressure. What kind of doctor knows how to diagnose all that? An Ophthalmologist and Optometrist.

Ophthalmologists and Optometrists are eye doctors who have been trained in conditions beyond eye diseases. Sometimes they’re physicians, sometimes surgeons, and they can diagnose and treat eye diseases. By scheduling an eye doctor appointment every one to two years, you can feel confident that your eyes are protected against vision issues and diseases that can have a major impact on your life. Many conditions related to the eyes have no symptoms, yet require early detection for successful treatment. Between regular eye exams, there are certain symptoms that should send you to the phone to schedule an eye appointment immediately.

• Changes in vision: If your vision is suddenly blurry or you’re seeing double, or you find yourself squinting for better vision, you might have a severe health problem. Similarly, halos around lights or blobs and flashing spots in your field of vision warrant an eye exam as soon as possible. Vision changes can be symptoms of diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, as well as conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or age-related macular degeneration.
• Night blindness: If you have trouble seeing when you go outside after you’ve been in a dimly lit room, or you’re having trouble seeing at night, it’s time to have your vision assessed. People with nearsightedness (myopia), often have trouble with night vision, and it can be caused by a retinal disease or other optical issues.
• Pain: Pain in the eyes could indicate a condition like dry eye, allergies, or infection. Allergies can lead to infections, and infections can become serious. If you’re experiencing eye pain, itchy, red eyes, or discharge, schedule an eye appointment. Headaches, too, can be a cause for alarm. Headaches can be caused by eye strain, especially if you stare at a computer all day. However, they can also be a warning sign of a serious condition like glaucoma or inflammation in the optic nerve. An eye doctor can determine the cause of your headaches and set your mind at ease.
• A Diabetes Diagnosis: Diabetes is a major risk factor in various diseases, like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the primary cause of vision loss in people with diabetes. It cannot be cured or reversed, but if it’s caught early, it can be successfully treated to help maintain your vision. Even if you just have a family history of diabetes, regular eye appointments are important to maintain your eye health.

If you’re looking for an ophthalmologist or optometrist in Derry, Raymond, Londonderry, or Windham, Spindel Eye Associates is here for you. Having spent over 35 years providing eye care in New Hampshire, we proudly provide our patients with personalized eye care, using top of the line technology. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 603.421.6536 or contact us through our website.