When to go to the ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmological examination is key to maintaining good eye health, as it allows specialists to detect vision problems and intervene in time in case of serious illness. From IMO Grup Miranza, a reference clinic in Barcelona, they explain that the frequency of examinations depends on age and each case, but that there are symptoms that should not be overlooked.

Loss of central vision

Vision loss can be related to important ocular pathologies. Central vision affected often indicates a problem with the retina, especially age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AMD is a serious pathology that usually appears from 60 years of age and manifests with a spot in the center of the visual field. In some cases, straight wavy lines may also be perceived, visible in everyday objects such as tiles or door frames.

Blurred vision

The difficulty in seeing clearly, both up close and far away, is a frequent reason for ophthalmological consultation. Between the ages of 40 and 45, blurry near vision is usually related to presbyopia or tired eyes, which is noticeable in activities such as reading or using a mobile phone or tablet.

It can also indicate other eye problems such as cataracts, keratoconus, refractive errors, or diseases of the retina and optic nerve.

Loss of peripheral vision

The loss of peripheral vision, common in pathologies such as glaucoma or other optic nerve conditions, often progresses silently, without obvious symptoms. Many patients do not detect it until advanced stages and may suffer everyday accidents such as stumbles or blows from objects located in their lateral vision, such as door frames.

Floaters and black spots

Although they are not usually serious conditions, the sudden appearance of floaters or a black spot in the visual field requires specialized attention, especially if they increase sharply. They can be related to alterations of the vitreous or retina, such as uveitis, posterior vitreous detachment or, in the most serious cases, retinal detachment, a pathology that requires urgent surgical treatment.

Red eye, eye pain, and foreign body sensation

They are symptoms that can be related to each other and may hide ocular problems that require urgent attention. They can be associated with diseases such as acute glaucoma, uveitis or infections such as conjunctivitis. In some cases, they can also be the consequence of injuries to the cornea or conjunctiva, dry eye syndrome or the presence of small particles that irritate the ocular surface.