Common Eye Complaints

Common eye complaints can be broken down. The following are typically common complaints:

• Redness

• Itching

• Dry Eyes(redness, itchy, foreign body sensation, tearing)

• Blurry Vision 

• Flashes and Floaters

Red and Itching

Red, itchy eyes or bloodshot eye(s) have many causes like infection, inflammation, allergy, broken blood vessels and trauma. If the white of your eye (sclera) looks red or pink, the following conditions may be occurring; 

Pink eye: also called conjunctivitis is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva(small thin layer that covers the sclera). Symptoms are discharge, swollen lids, lids staying stuck, light sensitive, and foreign body feeling in eye(s).

Pink Eye with noticeable discharge.

Tip: visit optometrist as soon as possible to get antibiotics or anti inflammation drops. Use artificial tears and don’t rub eyes.

Eye allergies: Allergies can be seasonal or specific cause by something. Symptoms include red, and puffy eyes. Some people may feel the discomfit however some may not and it's not till you see optometrist that you would know you have ocular allergy.    

Allergies are mild at times. Many people don't even notice until it starts to progress and cause major discomfit.

Tip: Use over the counter allergy drops such as alaway or radiator.

Subconjunctival hemorrhage: Blood shot eye(s) how some people call it; occurs when a tiny blood vessel breaks just underneath the conjunctiva pops. It does not cause any pain. The same as a bruise subconjunctival hemorrhage will eventually fade and change colors until completely gone. Blood vessel way pop from lifting heavy objects, turning head quickly, coughing, constipation, laughing to hard, and eye trauma.

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
Tip: Seeing optometrist is important but not immediately needed unless subconjunctival hemorrhage is caused by trauma. If occurs more than two times visit optometrist so they can send primary doctor a note of blood needed to be done to know why blood vessels are popping.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be caused by age, tiredness, vision stress (computer work, reading), poor nutrition.

Tip: Use artificial tears, compression of warm water on lids, washing lids with baby shampoo at least two times a day. DO NOT USE VISINE, CLEAR EYES OR MURO.

Blurry Vision 

Blurry vision is caused by a change in prescription, dry eyes, if you are diabetic or have high blood pressure and there is any sudden change in the sugar or pressure, migraines, cataracts, certain medication, or dirty contact lens.

Tip: See optometrist to get dilated eye exam to make sure everything behind eyes is fine as well as prescription for glasses.

Flashes & Floaters

The vitreous gel that fills the eye is mostly water but also contains proteins and other molecules. When we age, the vitreous gel thickens and starts to shrink. This causes it to pull away from the retina. The detachment is called posterior vitreous detachment(PVD). Debris from the detachment site drifts into the vitreous and become floaters. PVD causes the vitreous gel to pull on the retina, producing flashes.

Floaters may be clear or black.
Tip: When seeing floaters or flashes visit your optometrist for a dilated eye exam to make sure there is not a retina detachment. (people describe the floaters like small ants or insets)