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Other Than Vision Loss, What Are Some Signs You Should See an Eye Doctor?

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When your vision starts waning, of course, you visit the eye doctor. However, vision loss and blurry vision are not the only symptoms that can alert you to the presence of an eye problem that requires treatment. Here are a few other signs that you should call up your ophthalmologist for an appointment.

1. Trouble seeing colors.

Do the colors around you suddenly seem faded? Maybe everything seems a little washed out or like it spent too long in the sun. Sometimes people question whether or not this fading is in their imagination for weeks before they finally acknowledge that it is an issue. So take this as your permission to accept it really is happening. Trouble seeing colors can be an early symptom of a condition called macular degeneration, which leads to increased vision loss over time. If your eye doctor detects it and begins treating you for it now, you can protect much of your vision and greatly reduce your risk of blindness.

2. Objects appearing in different sizes.

This is another eye health-related abnormality that can leave you questioning whether or not it's really happening — but if you're asking yourself this question, then it probably is. An object will look normal out of one eye, but smaller or larger than normal out of the other eye. Again, this can be an early sign of macular degeneration and a sign that you need to see an eye doctor.

3. Lasting eye redness.

If your eyes turn red for a few minutes or a few hours, it is probably just because you got exposed to something you're allergic to or sensitive. However, if the redness lasts for a day or longer, you should see the eye doctor. You may have an eye infection, which will require treatment with antibiotics. Lasting eye redness can also be an early indicator of glaucoma, a condition in which your eye pressure builds and leads to progressive vision loss.

4. Persistent eye dryness

Eye dryness may seem like a mild annoyance at first, but it can actually be due to a serious issue such as an infection, allergy, or autoimmune conditions like lupus or Sjogren's syndrome. It is important to see an eye doctor who can identify and treat the underlying cause of the dryness. Otherwise, eye dryness can lead to corneal scratches and other more serious problems.

Don't wait for vision loss to see the eye doctor. Make an appointment by contacting an ophthalmology clinic if you notice any of the issues above, too.


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