The Top 5 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Many people wait and see if minor health problems resolve on their own. When your throat’s scratchy or your stomach’s upset, it’s easy to tough it out and hope it clears by morning. But your eyes? They play by a different rule book. Ignoring symptoms, even ones that seem mild, can potentially cost you your vision. Here are 5 signs your eyes are waving a red flag and why paying attention could save your sight.  

1. Eye Pain

Unlike minor irritation or fatigue, actual eye pain is never normal. While it could be caused by dry eye, a foreign object or eye strain, it may also signal more serious problems like inflammation (uveitis), infection or acute angle-closure glaucoma—a sight-threatening emergency. If pain is severe, persistent or associated with light sensitivity, nausea or changes in vision, seek care immediately. 

2. Double Vision

Seeing double—when you’re not at a magic show—might be more than a visual hiccup. It often points to issues with nerves or muscles that control eye movement and may stem from conditions like corneal damage, cataracts, nerve dysfunction or even neurological problems such as stroke or aneurysm. If your world suddenly goes split-screen, especially with dizziness or trouble balancing, take it seriously. Double vision can occur in one eye (monocular) or both eyes (binocular) and can come on gradually with or without warning. 

3. Sudden Floaters or Flashes

A few floaters drifting across your field of vision can be normal with aging. But a sudden increase in floaters, bright flashes of light or the appearance of a shadow or curtain closing over your vision could indicate a retinal tear or detachment. This is an eye emergency that can lead to irreversible blindness if left untreated. 

4. Redness and Swelling

Not every red eye is just allergies. Eye redness that doesn’t resolve with artificial tears or comes with pain, swelling, discharge or light sensitivity can be more than simple irritation. Conditions like conjunctivitis, keratitis or scleritis can escalate quickly without proper treatment. In some cases, redness may be a sign of an underlying systemic condition or infection that requires medical attention.

5. Blurred Vision 

If the world suddenly looks foggy, that’s your cue. Blurred vision is a broad category— it could mean you are experiencing an easily correctable symptom like a refractive error, or something more urgent like diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration. Because nearly every eye condition affects clarity, this is one of the most searched symptoms and one that brings patients through the door. If your blurry vision is sudden, affects just one eye or comes with pain—see a doctor right away. 

You’ve just read 5 good reasons to book a comprehensive eye exam. Vision changes are rarely random. Trust your instincts and let us do the diagnostics. Schedule an appointment with Skyline Vision Clinic at 719-630-3937 or WEBSITE.