Most Important Symptoms You Should NEVER Ignore With Your Eyes.

It is natural to take the health of our eyes for granted and this is especially the case if we have perfect vision. However there are many diseases and problems that can affect the eyes and most can lead to loss of vision if they are not dealt with quickly. The worst thing you can do is ignore problems with your eyes, as generally speaking if you leave things too long treating them becomes more difficult and sometimes impossible.
Below are my top 5 signs and symptoms that you should absolutely never ignore as they could lead to permanent vision loss:

1. Distorted and wavy vision: The easiest way to describe this is to say that straight lines will look wavy / distorted. This can be easily identified by looking at graph paper and you will find that some of the lines are not straight. The most likely cause of these symptoms is macular degeneration which is a disease of the macular which is the very central part of your vision. This can occasionally be treated but only if it is dealt with quickly.
2. Flashing lights in your vision: If you ever notice any flashes of light in your vision you should see your Optometrist as soon as possible as it could indicate a retinal detachment, which is a serious sight threatening condition. If picked up early retinal detachments can be easily treated before they affect your vision. Generally speaking if the detachment is small, laser eye surgery can quickly and easily treat the problem.
3. Blind spots in your vision: This means that you are aware of areas in your vision that are blank/missing and this is an extremely serious condition. It could either mean a visual problem such as a retinal detachment or Glaucoma or more seriously a lesion in your brain. This needs urgent medical attention to ensure the best chances of diagnosis and treatment.
4. Curtain/shadow over vision: If you notice a black shadow / curtain over your vision this could indicate either a retinal detachment or haemorrhage at the back of your eye. It is particularly serious if the shadow/curtain does not move when you move your eyes.
5. General reduction in vision: If you notice your vision has deteriorated then it is important to have an eye test as soon as possible. This is especially important if the loss of vision has happened quickly as it is likely to indicate an eye disease.

Whilst this article may appear a little sombre, if you react quickly to any of these symptoms there is a good chance that you will be able to save your vision. The worst thing you can do is ignore the symptoms and hope they go away as the only thing that will happen is things will get worse.
Tim Harwood is an experienced medical writer and covers topics ranging from Botox prices to laser hair removal. He regularly writes for his website Treatmentsaver.com which covers all many of general health conditions.

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