13 May Eye-Related Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
When you experience a new or sudden symptom, especially concerning the eyes, it can be quite worrying. The problem is that modern life is very fast-paced, and many people struggle to fit appointments into their day. However, your health is the most important thing of them all, and ignoring symptoms can lead to worsening problems down the road.
If you experience any of the following eye-related symptoms, book an appointment as soon as you can.
Sudden Blurry Vision
Many people in the world experience blurry vision. In fact, sometimes, the solution is as simple as getting a pair of mens reading glasses. However, sudden blurry vision can be a sign of something more serious, including:
- Macular Edema
- A Detached Retina
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
As such, you must book an appointment as soon as possible. You might find you just need a new pair of glasses, or you may have an eye condition that requires treatment.
Eye Pain
Eye pain is usually a cause for concern. It may come on slowly, only feeling like a minor aching behind the eyes. Or it may be more sudden and sharper, which can be scary. Whatever type of eye pain you experience, it is never something to ignore – while it could be something as small as a lash caught in the eye or too much time spent in front of a screen, it could also be due to an eye condition like glaucoma. If it doesn’t go away, definitely book an appointment.
Sensitivity to Light
Everyone is sensitive to light at times, particularly in the morning. However, if you’ve noticed your eyes cannot handle light, even in the middle of the day, that’s a sign of something not quite right. Some potential eye conditions include glaucoma, cataracts, and corneal abrasions.
Tunnel Vision
Tunnel vision is more technically known as peripheral vision loss. This symptom causes you to only see directly in front of you – anything surrounding that tunnel is invisible. There are several potential causes for this, such as migraines, glaucoma, optic neuritis, and retinal detachment – seeing an optician or ophthalmologist is key to understanding the reason it’s happening (and getting treatment).
Eye Redness
Most people experience red eyes from time to time, whether that’s due to rubbing their eyes, being tired, or cutting onions. However, more dramatic red eyes, or eye redness that does not go away, could be a sign of an underlying issue. Booking an appointment can determine whether your eye redness is caused by something like conjunctivitis, injections, blepharitis, or glaucoma.
Final Thoughts
If you show any of these signs, it is better to be safe than sorry and book an appointment with the appropriate eye doctor. Even if you experience mild symptoms, knowing that it is nothing serious can provide relief. Also, remember that you can book an appointment even for mild symptoms, or something that’s not on this list – your health should always be your priority, and if it is an underlying eye condition, it is better to get it treated sooner rather than later.
More information:
- Bagheri, N., & Wajda, B. N. (2023). Essentials for Top 10 Eye Emergencies. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Available at: www.aao.org
- Penn Medicine: Eye Emergencies: Symptoms and Causes.
Available at: www.pennmedicine.org
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Last Updated on May 13, 2025 by Marie Benz MD FAAD
