Several signs and symptoms of severe eye problems include blurry vision, floaters, and bleeding. Taking the time to understand these warning signs and seek treatment may help you avoid serious issues.
Floaters
Eye floaters are tiny particles that can be seen floating in your vision. They are usually harmless but can also be signs of more severe problems. You should speak with an eye doctor if you notice these symptoms.
Age-related alterations to the retina are the primary cause of eye floaters. This causes clumps of collagen fibers to form shadows on the retina.
These shadows may look like cobwebs, threads, dots, or other specks. They are more likely to occur when looking at a bright object. A floater may disappear if you are focused on it. However, if it becomes too large, it may impair your vision.
Other medical conditions can also cause eye floaters. For example, if you suffer from glaucoma, cataracts, or diabetes, you are at greater risk of developing floaters. It is better to learn about treatment options like some more information on cataract surgery.
Bleeding
A variety of conditions can cause eye bleeding. Some are harmless, while others are serious. When experiencing eye bleeding, it is essential to seek help from your doctor as soon as possible.
Eye bleeding is commonly the result of blunt trauma. This can happen to children or young adults, or older adults. Additionally, an underlying medical problem may be the cause.
Hyphema is a more severe occurrence of eye bleeding. Blood clots between the cornea and the iris in the front of the eye cause hyphema. The resulting vision changes are often scary and require immediate attention.
Other common causes of eye bleeding include subretinal hemorrhage (SCH) and vitreous hemorrhage. SCH is caused by a broken blood vessel, while vitreous hemorrhage is when bleeding occurs under the retina.
Blurred Vision
One of the most typical signs of many eye conditions is blurry vision. Often the problem is temporary, but other times it can be a symptom of a more serious underlying health condition.
If you suddenly experience blurred vision, you must visit your healthcare provider immediately. This can help your doctor diagnose the reason for the blurring and treat the condition.
Various medical conditions can cause blurry vision, including migraines, infections, and strokes. Your healthcare provider should conduct a thorough physical examination and blood tests if you have these symptoms.
Refractive errors, cataracts, and dry eye syndrome are a few of the most typical reasons for blurry vision. These are often treatable with eye drops or other treatments.
Depending on the condition, your doctor may recommend eye surgery to correct your vision. In addition, you may need to wear prescription glasses to see clearly.
Floating Cells
When you have eye floaters, they can interfere with your vision. If you suddenly increase in floaters, you need to get checked out by an eye care professional. The floaters can be a sign of a retinal tear or a problem in the vitreous. A retinal tear can cause permanent vision loss.
The back of your eye contains the retina, which is made up of light-sensitive cells. These cells are separated by the vitreous, which is a jelly-like substance. As you age, the vitreous naturally degrades and pulls away from the retina. This pull can cause a retinal tear, which requires immediate medical attention.
You may notice floaters in your field of sight, especially if you are reading, watching TV, or looking at a white wall. In most cases, floaters are harmless. However, they can cause problems for younger people with high myopia, which is a condition that makes them more likely to develop floaters.
Macular Degeneration
If you have been experiencing difficulty reading or driving, your ophthalmologist may diagnose you with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). This eye disease can cause blurry or wavy vision. Your ophthalmologist can perform a variety of tests to diagnose the problem. They will also check for yellow deposits, fluid, or blood in the eyes.
Depending on the stage of the disease, your ophthalmologist may prescribe medication to improve your vision. The most common treatment is an anti-VEGF drug, which can help prevent the growth of new blood vessels. These drugs are delivered through tiny injections in your eye regularly.
Having an ARMD diagnosis early can slow the progression of the disease. In some cases, you can reverse your vision loss. While the exact cause of AMD is not entirely understood, researchers have found a link between specific genes and the development of the condition.
