TREATING URGENT EYE CONDITIONS
Nearly everyone will have a suspicious eye symptom at some point or another — such as red eyes, floaters, or flashes — or develop a more serious and urgent condition like an infection. In either scenario, it’s best to avoid self-diagnosing and see a reputable ophthalmology team such as our doctors, for evaluation.
RED EYES
Red, irritated or bloodshot eyes can be innocuous or an indication of something serious. The most common cause of eye redness is swollen or dilated blood vessels in the sclera (white portion of the eye). The blood vessels may swell if the eyes become too dry, get too much sun exposure, suffer an allergic reaction or if dust or another type of particle gets in the eye. The eyes can also become red due to infection, inflammation, or a condition such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, uveitis, or a corneal ulcer.
Seeing flashes of light, which is often referred to as “seeing stars,” becomes a more common occurrence with age. Flashes of light usually indicate that the vitreous (clear gel that fills the eye) is pulling away from back wall of the eye; this is known as posterior vitreous detachment. Flashes can also signal a tear in the retina or the retina becoming dislodged from the posterior lining in the eye. Retinal tear or dislodgement can severely compromise vision. Flashes are more common in individuals that are nearsighted, have had cataract or YAG laser surgery or sustained an eye injury.