•Dr Priscilia Imade
Common eye symptoms are signals from your eyes that something may not be right. They range from mild discomfort to warning signs of serious eye conditions. When you recognise these symptoms early and respond appropriately, you protect your vision and prevent complications. Symptoms should never be ignored or self-diagnosed. Some of the common eye symptoms you should not ignore this year include the following:
1. BLURRED VISION
Blurred vision occurs when objects do not appear sharp or clear. This may affect distance vision, near vision or both. Blurred vision can occur gradually or suddenly. This may be caused by refractive errors, eye fatigue, infections or more serious eye conditions. Sudden or severe blurring requires urgent professional attention.
2. EYE PAIN OR DISCOMFORT
Eye symptoms such as pain, aching, burning, sharp pain, or a feeling of pressure and discomfort may worsen with eye movement or light exposure. Understand that pain is not normal and should never be ignored. Eye pain can indicate infection, inflammation, injury, or increased eye pressure, all of which require prompt medical evaluation.
3. REDNESS OF THE EYE
The eye becomes red when the blood vessels on the surface of the eye become more visible. Redness may affect one or both eyes and may be associated with pain, discharge or irritation. Mild redness can result from dryness or fatigue, persistent or painful redness needs professional assessment. Never ignore redness in the eye because it can lead to vision loss.
4. ITCHING AND IRRITATION
You feel itching or irritation when your eyes react to allergens, dryness, or environmental triggers. Avoid rubbing your eyes, even when the urge is strong, because rubbing can worsen inflammation and cause injury. Persistent itching signals the need for proper evaluation and safe treatment.
5. WATERY OR EXCESSIVE TEARING
Excessive tearing occurs when your eyes are irritated, infected or dry. Watery eyes do not always mean good tear function. Blocked tear ducts, allergies or surface irritation may be responsible. Ongoing tearing should be assessed to identify the underlying cause.
6. DISCHARGE FROM THE EYE
Eye discharges when fluid, mucus or pus accumulates around the eye, especially after sleep.
Discharge may be clear, white, yellow or green. Eye discharge often indicates infection or inflammation. Avoid touching or cleaning the eye with unclean hands and seek professional care promptly.
7. SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT
Sensitivity to light occurs when bright lights in our environments cause discomfort or pain. You may squint, tear excessively, or feel unable to keep your eyes open comfortably. Light sensitivity can occur with infections, inflammation, dry eye disease or eye injury and should not be dismissed.
8. HEADACHES ASSOCIATED WITH EYE USE
Headaches and eye aches occur during or after reading, computer use or other visual tasks. These headaches may be related to uncorrected vision problems, eye strain or poor visual ergonomics. If you experience any repeated headache, it is a sign to seek professional eye assessment.
9. FLASHES, FLOATER AND SHADOWS
Flashes of light, floating spots or dark shadows in your field of vision are symptoms of underlying eye conditions.
While some floaters can be harmless, sudden onset, increase or associated flashes require urgent evaluation. Do not delay seeking care when these symptoms appear.
10. DOUBLE VISION
Double vision occurs when a single object appears as two. This may occur in one eye or both eyes. Know that double vision can indicate serious eye or neurological conditions. Seek immediate professional eye care rather than adjusting or ignoring the symptom.
CONCLUSION
Finally, respond to common eye symptoms with responsibility because common eye symptoms are messages, not inconveniences. Avoid self-medication, traditional remedies or advice from unqualified sources. Seek timely professional care, follow recommendations, and monitor changes closely.
Learn to listen to your eyes and act early and protect your sight. Your response to symptoms today shapes your vision tomorrow.
Make it a point of responsibility in this new year to visit your optometrist whenever you feel any eye symptoms.
*Dr Priscilia Imade is CEO, Modern Eye Clinic, Lagos. E-mail: moderneyecliniclagos@gmail.com
Another edition of the column returns on Monday in The Frontier.
