Keep an eye on your eye health

Getting an annual eye exam is not something that most Americans do. In fact, only 50 percent do. But an annual eye exam can not only help keep your vision sharp, it can also catch early signs of disease and other issues before they become larger problems. For people who do not have annual eye exams, there are times when you should make an appointment with your eye care provider. The following is a list of things that warrant a trip to your doctor.

If you haven't had an eye exam in more than a year, then it's time to book that eye appointment. Not only can you catch potential eye issues, your eyes can alert your doctor to other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and even some types of cancers. 

Headaches that occur behind your eyes or eyebrows can be an indicator that your eyes are having trouble focusing or are experiencing eye strain. The solution can be as simple as a new pair of glasses or contacts.

Perhaps you experience eye pain in one or both of your eyes. If the pain is sharp or throbbing and doesn't go away, your eye could be inflamed pointing to a possible eye or sinus infection, or more commonly, dry eye syndrome. Eye pain should not be ignored and you should contact your eye doctor immediately.

Red and swollen eyes can be a product of allergies but they can also signal a viral or bacterial infection and these symptoms need to be evaluated by your eye doctor to determine the appropriate treatment.

The sudden appearance of a lot of floaters along with flashes of light can be warning signs of retinal detachment and also requires the attention of a doctor to prevent permanent vision loss.

And finally, if your vision goes from being clear one minute to blurry the next, those symptoms need to be evaluated as they can be caused by dry eye syndrome, astigmatism or high blood sugar due to diabetes.

So take heed and pay attention to what your eyes are telling you. Taking care of your eye health now can help preserve your vision for the future.