According to the World Health Organization, there are over 285 million people with vision problems. About 80% of these conditions could have been cured or avoided with early detection. Regular eye exams are very important because they help detect early signs of various progressive conditions and treat them at the earliest possible stages. In some cases, people may experience various eye symptoms that signify serious eye conditions and some can be cured with immediate medical attention. Here are important eye symptoms to watch out for.

Floaters, grey shadows and flashing lights in your vision

Floaters are quite normal. However, if you notice an increase in the amount of floaters, or suddenly see flashing lights or grey shadows in your peripheral vision or moving across your vision, these are clear symptoms of retinal detachment. Retinal detachment is caused by glaucoma, nearsightedness and injuries to the eyes and may lead to blindness if left untreated.

Sudden loss of vision

Any sudden vision loss, especially if it is in one eye, can be a sign of a number of eye problems. Macular degeneration is one of the prime causes of gradual vision loss but in some people, the vision can be lost suddenly. Similarly, glaucoma can also result in sudden vision loss due to a damaged optic nerve.

Pain in the eyes

If you experience any pain in the eyes, it may be a sign of an eye injury, cancer in the eye, a scratched cornea, dry eye or even glaucoma.

Eye discomfort

If you have been carrying out an activity such as working under a car, mowing the lawn or hammering where small particles may enter the eye, you should be extra cautious about any persistent eye discomfort. Any foreign particles in the eye can result in pain or discomfort and may lead to an infection of not treated.

Redness

If both eyes appear to be red, it can be a sign of conjunctivitis or the common cold. These infections are not serious and can heal on their own. However, if one of your eyes appears to be red, then it can be a result of infection at a deeper level. The causes for redness in one eye include uveitis or sceleritis.

Blurry vision

Blurry vision can be a sign of various serious eye conditions such as age related macular degeneration, uveitis, glaucoma or a tear in the retina. If the vision appears to be blurry in one eye, it may be an early sign of stroke.

Complications after eye surgery

If you have had a surgery in the eyes and are experiencing various eye problems such as blurry vision, pain or redness, be sure to contact your doctor immediately.