Ideally, you should pay your dentist a visit every 6 months. The same cannot be said, however, for taking a trip to your eye doctor. Generally speaking, you should see an eye specialist only every 2 years to undergo a comprehensive eye examination. Older people or those who are at high risk of developing problems concerning the eyes may need to have an appointment every year or even more often.

Unsure whether or not you should see an eye doctor? Read on. Below you will find some of the signs that it’s a good idea for you to consult an eye specialist. After reading this article, share it to let your family members and friends know if it’s time for them to have an appointment with their respective eye doctors.

There are various eye problems — many of which can lead to loss of vision — that can be kept from progressing only if they are detected and treated as soon as possible. Some of them are cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Some of these issues can also be prevented from striking with regular trips to the eye doctor. It’s exactly for this reason why visiting an eye expert is a very smart move.

Cannot imagine a life in which you cannot see anything around you? Then make sure that you rush to the nearest eye clinic as soon as you encounter some or all of these symptoms:

Blurred Vision

Are you having a hard time recognizing a friend standing a few feet away from you or reading the pages of a book that is placed just a few centimeters in front of your face? You may be having nearsightedness or farsightedness — or astigmatism if you cannot clearly see anything that’s too far away or too near you. If the blurring of vision appears suddenly, make sure that you get rushed to the emergency room as it can suggest a serious problem.

Constant Headaches

When you have problems concerning your vision, the muscles of the eyes responsible for focusing end up working harder, thus often leaving you with a headache. If it’s apparent that your headache appears right after sitting in front of a computer screen or reading a magazine, chances are that there is an issue concerning your eyes — your peepers are always straining, causing not only your eyes but also your head to ache.

Eye Pressure

Does it feel like your eyeballs are being squashed by invisible hands? It’s possible that you may have glaucoma, which is characterized by an increase of pressure within the eyeballs. But there is no need for you to panic because it’s something that can be treated, provided that an eye specialist detects it as soon as possible. Aside from eye pressure, other symptoms of glaucoma include blurred or hazy vision, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

Night Blindness

Just like what the name says, night blindness is something that can keep you from seeing properly at night. However, it also implies problems with seeing very early in the morning or in poorly-lit environments. There are a handful of reasons why night blindness happens, ranging from deficiency in vitamin A to cataracts. A trip to the eye doctor will allow you to know the reason why you have night blindness and also the best remedy for it.

Light Sensitivity

Do you have to squint or close your eyes completely each time there is too much light around? Eye specialists refer to it as photophobia, but everyone else calls it light sensitivity. There are many different reasons behind it, such as eye infections and eye diseases. Commonly, light sensitivity is accompanied by a headache. Taking a trip to an eye doctor should be done as soon as possible if you constantly experience sensitivity to light.