Many patients in Boiling Springs put off getting their eyes examined regularly and wait until they notice a problem before scheduling an appointment with one of our doctors. Below are several signs that it may be time to schedule your next eye exam at Palmetto Eye & Laser Center:

Frequent Headaches – A routine eye exam can uncover a few issues that may be causing headaches. In some cases staring at the computer screen for too long or working in overly bright or dim light may be the culprit. There are also some common eye conditions that can cause headaches such as astigmatism, hyperopia or presbyopia.

Squinting – If you find yourself squinting, it may be time for a prescription update. While squinting won’t hurt your eyes, it is a sign that your eyes may need more assistance in viewing certain things.

Dry, Itchy Eyes – While dry eyes are caused by a variety of things, your doctor will be able to advise you on the best treatment. 

Vision Changes – Any change in vision is a sign that an eye exam should be scheduled. Common changes include:

• Blurry vision – If you notice things becoming blurry, you may be developing farsightedness or nearsightedness. If you find it difficult to see objects both near and far, that may be astigmatism, a common condition involving a curvature of the eye lens or cornea.
• Double vision – Double vision can indicate serious issues. Seeing double may mean problems with your cornea or eye muscles and can also be a symptom of cataracts.
• Wavy vision – If straight lines appear distorted, or colors look faded, it may be a sign of macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is the deterioration of the central portion of the retina and a leading cause of vision loss.
• Halos – If you notice halos around objects, it may signal developing cataracts or night vision problems.

Health Conditions – Certain conditions such as diabetes are closely related to particular eye conditions. Patients with diabetes are recommended to get an eye exam at least yearly. Additionally, if you have a family history of cataracts, retinal problems or glaucoma, you should schedule regular eye exams to monitor your eye health.

You Can’t Recall Your Last Vision Exam – If you can’t remember the last time you had your eyes checked, you are more than likely due for an eye exam.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above or it’s been a while since your last exam, contact Palmetto Eye & Laser Center at 864-583-6381 or palmettoeyeandlaser.com to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.