Minor Ailments and Conditions

It is important to be aware of the various minor ailments and conditions that can occur in our eyes and to know what to do next, as well as how to prevent them.

Minor Ailments and Conditions Optometrist
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Our eyes are the organs of the visual system and they are quite delicate and susceptible to various minor ailments and conditions. It’s important to know how to recognize different symptoms and signs in the eyes and to know what steps need to be taken next. Certain minor occurrences in the eyes can be dealt with at home and can heal on their own. Others require immediate medical attention because no matter how small the ailment may appear, there could be potential for a more serious underlying cause or possible complication. When it comes to protecting our eyes, it is best to consult with your optometrist who is your primary eyecare specialist that can properly diagnose and recommend the best treatment plan for you. Included here is a guide of what to do when you or a loved one experiences a variety of possible minor ailments and conditions.

Specialty Vision

Various Minor Eye Conditions

There are countless possibilities of different things that can occur in our eyes, however here is a list of more common minor ailments and conditions which are discussed in depth:

When to Seek Immediate Care

When to Seek Immediate Care

If you have any doubt that your eyes and/ or your eyesight might be in danger, please call our office and we will do our best to schedule you in to be checked by the optometrist right away and we will guide you with the next best steps. If you notice any of the following symptoms or experience sudden changes in your vision, please schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor or you can reach out to your nearest Specialty Vision practice either via a call or in-person visit:
  • Sudden change in your vision, including double vision or loss of vision
  • Severe pain in your eyes
  • Foreign body in your eyes
  • Serious bleeding in the eyes and/ or surrounding area
  • Any other concerning findings in your eyes and/ or surrounding area
Eye Infection Prevention

Eye Infection Prevention

It is also essential to protect your eyes from infection by making sure to:
  • Wash your hands, especially before touching your eyes
  • Maintain the proper hygiene for your contact lenses
  • Wear your contact lenses only for as long as your optometrist told you to and not longer
  • Wash your pillow sheets and anything else that comes in contact with your eyes
  • Only use your own makeup and makeup brushes instead of sharing with others
  • Use clean makeup brushes

Common Questions

You should schedule an appointment with your optometrist if you experience sudden onset of new floaters or they are accompanied by flashes of light. Oftentimes, small floaters can be normal, but sudden floaters are often caused by vitreous detachment. Also, diabetes or trauma can cause eye floaters caused by inflammation or bleeding in the eye, which must be evaluated and treated. Our eye care professionals will collect as much information as possible about your vision and what you're seeing during a consultation to diagnose eye floaters. The purpose of this is to aid our eye care provider in determining the underlying cause of your vision problem.
Minor Ailments and Conditions
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Eye Injury Protection

It is important to be aware of any potential threats to the safety of your eyes and to do what you can to avoid putting yourself in danger. That being said, if you are in an environment or engaging in any activity that could pose a threat to your eyes, please be sure to take the proper precautions. This includes wearing the appropriate protective eye gear, as doing so can prevent the vast majority of eye injuries.

Visit a Routine Eye Care eye center at a Specialty Vision practice near you:
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