Eye Symptoms Guide

Understanding common vision problems and when to seek professional help

Common Vision Symptoms

Recognize the signs that may indicate vision problems or eye health issues

Blurry Vision

Difficulty seeing objects clearly at distance or up close. May indicate refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

When to worry: Sudden onset, severe blurriness, or accompanied by pain

Digital Eye Strain

Tired, dry, or irritated eyes after screen use. Often accompanied by headaches, neck pain, or difficulty focusing.

Common cause: Extended computer or phone use without breaks

Double Vision

Seeing two images of a single object. Can be constant or intermittent, affecting one or both eyes.

Urgent: Seek immediate medical attention

Night Vision Issues

Difficulty seeing in low light conditions, halos around lights, or problems with glare while driving at night.

May indicate: Cataracts, vitamin A deficiency, or retinal problems

Color Vision Changes

Difficulty distinguishing between certain colors or noticing that colors appear faded or different than usual.

Note: Can be congenital or acquired due to eye disease or medication

Floaters & Flashes

Small spots, threads, or cobweb-like shapes that drift across your vision, or brief flashes of light.

Urgent if: Sudden increase in floaters or new flashes

When to Seek Help

Emergency (Seek Immediate Care)

  • • Sudden vision loss
  • • Severe eye pain
  • • Double vision
  • • Curtain-like vision loss
  • • Sudden increase in floaters
  • • Flashing lights
  • • Chemical in eye

Urgent (Within Days)

  • • Persistent eye pain
  • • Significant vision changes
  • • New onset headaches with vision issues
  • • Eye injury
  • • Persistent red eye
  • • Light sensitivity

Routine (Schedule Appointment)

  • • Gradual vision changes
  • • Eye strain or fatigue
  • • Difficulty reading
  • • Mild dry eyes
  • • Regular check-up due
  • • Prescription update needed

Age-Related Vision Changes

40+

Presbyopia (Around Age 40)

Difficulty focusing on close objects, need to hold reading material farther away. This is a normal aging process affecting the eye's lens flexibility.

50+

Increased Risk Period

Higher risk for glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Regular comprehensive eye exams become more important.

60+

Senior Vision Health

Annual eye exams recommended. Watch for symptoms of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and other age-related conditions.

Prevention & Eye Health Tips

Daily Habits

  • • Follow the 20-20-20 rule for screen use
  • • Wear UV-protective sunglasses outdoors
  • • Maintain proper lighting when reading
  • • Keep screens at arm's length
  • • Blink frequently to keep eyes moist
  • • Take regular breaks from close work

Lifestyle Factors

  • • Eat a diet rich in vitamins A, C, and E
  • • Include omega-3 fatty acids
  • • Don't smoke - it increases eye disease risk
  • • Manage diabetes and blood pressure
  • • Exercise regularly for good circulation
  • • Get adequate sleep for eye rest