Ophthalmologists work with patients suffering from eye diseases and disorders. While your optometrist can diagnose and treat a range of conditions, there are times when you may need to seek the services of an ophthalmologist to accurately and effectively treat your symptoms. Here are some signs that you may need to book an appointment with your Brooklyn ophthalmologist.
You Experience Frequent Low-Grade Headaches
Your eyes are connected to the muscles in your head, neck, and face through an intricate network of ligaments. When your eyes are strained due to an undiagnosed condition, the pressure can be passed on to the surrounding areas and cause low-intensity yet persistent headaches. For those who wear glasses or contact lenses, a quick update to your prescription could solve your problem. However, if it’s been less than a year since your last eye exam, those tension headaches could point to a much more serious problem, such as:
- Ocular surface disease, which causes extremely dry eyes that are more susceptible to scratches and infections.
- Extraocular muscle disease, which negatively impacts the tiny muscles that surround the eye.
- Ciliary body disease, which is a condition that compromises the integrity of the muscles that shape and define the eye’s lens.
If you’re constantly getting headaches and can’t get relief from your regular optometrist, make contact with your nearest Brooklyn ophthalmologist for more advanced diagnoses.
You Have Diabetes
Diabetes is an insidious disease that affects every system of the body. Diabetes affects the eyes in two important ways.
- Changing blood sugar levels cause small blood vessels within the eye’s structure to swell and contract. Over time, this leads to leaking, blockage, and excess moisture production around the lens.
- Blood sugar fluctuations also directly affect the lens itself, which can compromise vision and contribute to cataract formations.
Even if your diabetes is well controlled, it is helpful to check with your ophthalmologist periodically. Early intervention means doctors have access to a greater variety of treatment options, which makes it more likely that your sight can be saved.
Your Eyes Are Constantly Red, Watery, or Irritated
Eye irritation is a general symptom that can have many causes. However, chronic problems with painful, red, or watery eyes could point to infected eye tissues. Infections that cause itching could lead to scratched corneas or drive the infection deeper into the eye tissues. If you’re able to rule out environmental factors like allergies and airborne irritants as the source of discomfort, check with your ophthalmologist. Without prompt intervention, some infections can lead to more serious conditions that threaten your eyesight.
Protect your eyesight by scheduling regular examinations with your Brooklyn ophthalmologist.
