Eye symptoms can include red, burning, or puffy eyes. Some symptoms can be signs of minor eye problems and other symptoms need treatment as soon as possible. So, how do you know if your eye needs immediate attention?

Here is what your eye symptoms mean:

1. Red or Bloodshot

Tiny blood vessels may expand or burst when your eye gets irritated or infected. So it’s common to have red or bloodshot eyes and it often goes away without any treatment. However, a cut, sores, injury, scratches, and glaucoma on your cornea could be more serious. You should check with your optometrist if your red or bloodshot eyes doesn’t improve in a day or two.

2. Burning or Stinging

Burning or stinging eyes is a sign of tired or irritated eyes. Common causes include dust, smoke, or hay fever. However, burning or stinging eyes could also be a sign of dry eyes because your tear glands don’t produce enough tears or blepharitis, which is a build of bacteria that causes dandruff-like flakes on your eyelids. It could also even be a more serious issue such as an inflamed cornea.

3. Crust

Crust is formed on your eye lids or lashes when oils and tears dry. So it’s normal to have a small amount of crust when you wake up. However, you may need to see a doctor if you have more crust than usual, it’s yellow or greenish, or you have other symptoms.

4. Dry or Itchy

Dry or itchy eyes is often caused by aging, allergies, medications, wearing contact lenses, or eyestrain from computer use. You can get relief for dry or itchy eyes by using eye drops or to put a cold compress on your eyes.

5. Puffy Eyes

Puffy eyes is often caused by pink eye, allergies, or another infection or inflammation. However, in rare causes, it could mean thyroid problems. Puffy eyes goes away on its own, but if it last longer than 24 hours of if you have trouble with your vision, you should see a doctor.

6. Watery

If your eyes are watery, it means your tears are working overtime or they can’t drain away normally. Watery eyes might be something that will clear up, but it could also mean an infection, a cut or scrape, or blocked tear ducts.

7. Twitching

Twitching or small, unintended movements of they eye lids are common, but if your eye lids are closing for no reason, you should check with your optometrist.

8. Lump

A lump, also known as styes, are red painful lumps on your lashes or under your eye lid caused by bacteria. You can get relief for styes by soaking a clean washcloth in warm water and hold it on your eye for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

9. Yellow

If your eyes are yellow, it’s a sign of jaundice so you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Jaundice is a liver diseases caused by hepatitis, gallstones, alcohol abuse, and in rare occasions, cancer.

10. Droopy Eyelids

An eyelid that has fallen over time and blocks some of your eye sight can be fixed with cosmetic surgery. However, when it shows up quickly, it could be a sign of stroke, brain tumor, muscle disease, or nerve problems. You should call your doctor if your droop appears within hours or days.

About New Optical Palace

New Optical Palace is your Optician and Optometrist in the Kitchener and Waterloo Area. We offer eye exams for adults and children and a wide selection of prescription glasses for your prescription, contact lenses, and sunglasses.