Knowing when to go to an optician can be hard, especially if it’s your first time. Here’s what you need to know about when and why you need to book an appointment with an optician:
Always Go To An Optician When You Experience A Change In Your Natural Eyesight
If you find that your vision has begun to decline, then it is time to book an appointment with an optician. The idea of wearing glasses can seem off-putting at first and some may be tempted to tough it out with their vision as is. This is understandable but doesn’t solve the problem.
It is perfectly normal to need glasses. Around 75% of the world’s population needs some form of vision correction. A proper pair of prescription lenses helps maintain quality of vision and quality of life.
Do You Need An Optician When You Experience A Sudden Loss Of Vision?
If you notice a radical change in the quality of your eyesight, then you don’t just need an optician, you may need need to go to the hospital:
A Sudden Complete, Or Near-Complete, Loss Of Vision
A change in eyesight this radical is likely caused by an issue with your central retinal artery. This is most often a symptom of a heart attack, a stroke, or a clotted blood vessel.
This is a medical emergency. Your first priority should be getting to an emergency room.
Peripheral Vision
A loss of peripheral vision may also be an emergency and is an immediate cause to visit an eye specialist.
As with total loss of vision, loss of peripheral vision can be one of the symptoms of a stroke. Check against other symptoms and act accordingly.
Peripheral vision loss is also a potential sign that you may be suffering from glaucoma. This is a disease that gradually causes blindness. It is, however, very treatable, especially when caught early on. If you think you are suffering from any of the symptoms of glaucoma, then be sure to book an appointment with your optician as soon as possible.
If your loss of peripheral vision is temporary, lasting no longer than 20 minutes, then you may be suffering from a retinal migraine. This condition, usually accompanied by headaches, often leaves as quickly as it comes on. While usually harmless, outside of the loss of vision itself, you should still visit an optician as soon as possible. Confirming this condition is important in ruling out the more alarming possibilities covered by the loss of eyesight. Moreover, once diagnosed, you will have access to treatment in order to manage and prevent further episodes.
Consult your doctor or optician after any sudden, significant change in vision.
If You Have Frequent Headaches
If you get recurrent headaches, the source might be an eyesight impairment. It is one of the most prevalent signs that someone requires glasses.
Refractive errors, such as short-sightedness or long-sightedness, might cause you to strain your eyes to see well. Fortunately, wearing the proper lenses helps alleviate many eye disorders that cause headaches.
Headaches may be a sign of glaucoma in some circumstances. Glaucoma is caused by an increase in intraocular pressure. Your optometrist can check for this and recommend therapy.
This is often caused by wearing glasses of the wrong prescription/reading glasses, which are always the wrong prescription
You Have Started To See Spots, Flashes Of Light Or Floaters
If you find that you occasionally see light flashes, tiny black spots, or lines in your field of vision, don’t panic. It can be fairly prevalent and is often not severe. It’s not a symptom of something more dangerous if they aren’t becoming worse and don’t interfere with your eyesight.
You should schedule a consultation with your eye care provider if you see floaters or flashes that come unexpectedly or that are more frequent. You should see your optometrist if it hurts you in any way.
Older adults frequently experience floaters and flashes, which are typically brought on by the completely normal and safe process known as posterior vitreous detachment.
When You Need A New Pair Of Glasses
Loosing a perfectly good pair of glasses can be frustrating, but it also presents an opportunity. Your eyesight changes over time, sometimes so slowly that you don’t even notice. Booking an eye test with your optician gives you the most up-to-date information about the lenses your eyes need to see best.
Make sure that you get the best possible pair of glasses by updating your prescription whenever you’re looking to buy a new pair of glasses.
Contact Huxter And Davy For Reliable, Professional, And Friendly Opticians In Looe, Torpoint & Padstow
Looking for an optician you can rely on in Looe, Torpoint, and Padstow? Contact Huxter And Davy today to book an appointment. Whether you’re buying for the first time or just updating your prescription, your vision is our focus.
