6 SIGNS YOU SHOULDN’T IGNORE — IT MAY BE TIME TO SEE AN OPTOMETRIST!**
When was the last time you had your eyes properly examined?
If your answer is “Only when I notice a problem,” then this is for you.
Many people wait until their vision becomes severely affected before seeking professional eye care. But your eyes can sometimes give you warning signs long before a serious problem develops.
Here are **6 signs that should prompt you to schedule an eye examination:**
1. Frequent headaches
Do you often experience headaches, especially after reading, using your phone, working on a computer, or doing other close-up activities?
Uncorrected refractive errors and eye strain can sometimes contribute to headaches. A proper eye examination can help determine whether your eyes are part of the problem.
2. Blurred or fluctuating vision 
Are things looking blurry at a distance or when reading? Does your vision sometimes become clear and then blurry again?
Don’t simply assume you need “new glasses.” Blurred vision can have several causes, and a comprehensive examination can help identify the actual cause.
3. Eye pain or persistent discomfort 
Pain, burning, irritation, or a persistent feeling that something is inside your eye should not be ignored.
It could be something relatively simple, but it can also occur with conditions affecting the cornea, inflammation, trauma, infection, or other ocular problems.
4. Frequent squinting or difficulty seeing at night
If you constantly squint to see clearly, move closer to objects, or struggle to see properly in dim light or while driving at night, your eyes deserve a proper assessment.
5. Flashes of light or floaters
Seeing an occasional floater may not always be serious, but **a sudden increase in floaters, especially when accompanied by flashes of light or a shadow/curtain in your vision, requires urgent eye assessment.**
These symptoms can sometimes be associated with retinal tears or retinal detachment.
6. Persistent redness or unusual changes in your eye color
Redness can be caused by allergies, infections, dry eye, corneal problems, inflammation, trauma, and other conditions. Avoid randomly using eye drops without knowing the cause.
REMEMBER:
**Your eyes don’t have to hurt before you take care of them.**
An eye examination involves assessing your vision and examining the health of your eyes to identify problems that may otherwise go unnoticed.