Central New Jersey Eye Surgeon - When do vision problems signal something more serious?

Aug. 4, 2010 - PRLog -- Edison, New Brunswick, Hamilton Township, New Jersey, August 4, 2010

While many visual disturbances are quite harmless, others can be a signal of serious vision or heath issues, so none should be ignored.

People often wait far longer than they should before getting their vision screened, even when they are experiencing unusual symptoms says ophthalmologist Hitesh K. Patel, M.D. of Patel Eye Associates.

"Not every change in vision signals something serious, but none should be dismissed. People often assume that serious eye problems should have dramatic symptoms, and that is just not the case," Patel asserted. "The early signs many serious eye problems seem very innocuous. Rather than ignore them or dismiss them, it is always better to make a quick call to your eye doctor to see if you should be concerned. It is not a bother to them. In fact, as an ophthalmologist, I appreciate when my patents call with concerns."

Alert your eye doctor if you experience these symptoms:

•   The feeling that a dark curtain has obscured your vision, especially after a fall or blow tot he head. This can be a sign of retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is considered an optical emergency and can cause permanent loss of vision if the retinal is not reattached  within several hours.
•   Gradual or sudden narrowing of your field of vision, leaving only the ability to see what is directly in front of you. This may be a sign of glaucoma. Permanent vision loss will occur if not treated early.
•   An increase in spots or floaters are common in older adults, however, they may also signal a retinal detachment.
•   Sudden eye pain, redness, nausea and vomiting may be a sign of acute narrow-angle glaucoma and immediate attention should be sought.
•   Cloudy or blurred vision or loss of color vision may be a sign of cataracts.
•   Blind spots may be a sign of diabetic retinopathy.

"Obviously, if the symptoms are severe, sudden, or caused by an injury, it is important to seek treatment immediately. Even those symptoms about which you are less concerned should be mentioned to an eye doctor. By discussing these symptoms, the chances are greatly increased of catching serious problems early, while they are still correctable," commented Patel.

Dr. Patel sees patients from all over Central New Jersey and surrounding areas in his Hamilton Township New Jersey practice. He is board certified in ophthalmology and expert in diagnosing and treating vision problems in all ages. For more information on Dr. Patel or to schedule a vision screening, please call 732-985-5009.  

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