When a patient was referred to optometrist Dr. Kallie Harrier’s office at UW Health, they were expecting a fairly basic procedure. They had been experiencing headaches for some time, and after several tests came back inconclusive, their primary care doctor recommended seeing Dr. Harrier to see if their headaches were related to their eyes. An eye exam found a swollen optic nerve. When examined in the emergency room, it was found to be caused by a cancerous tumor on the patient’s kidney. Thanks to that eye exam, the patient was able to start chemotherapy that day. “They say the eyes are the windows to the soul,” Dr. Harrier says. “But they are also the window to your health.”
March is national Save Your Vision Month, designated by the American Optometric Association (AOA) as a time to raise awareness about the importance of good eye care. It’s important to be proactive about any changes to your vision, especially sudden changes, as it can not only help address possible health concerns but also identify the need for vision rehabilitation.
Your vision can change for a wide variety of reasons, including some serious health conditions. Flashes of light could be a sign of retinal detachment, which if not addressed can lead to permanent vision loss. Sudden blurry vision can be caused by anything from dry eyes to uncontrolled diabetes, or even a potential stroke. Eye pain can be caused by a scratch on your lens or by inflammation of the optic nerve caused by multiple sclerosis. Light sensitivity can stem from any number of diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and shingles. If you notice any changes in your vision, call your optometrist or eye doctor as soon as possible.
Being proactive about changes in your vision is important to address whatever is causing those changes as soon as possible. Dr. Harrier says that UW Health has an urgent care clinic that can see patients the same day if a potential eye emergency occurs. Even if you have an appointment scheduled within the next week, it’s important to call your eye care provider as soon as possible.
“Something like a retinal detachment can’t wait a week,” Dr. Harrier says. “You have to call us right away if you notice any changes so that we can begin treatment immediately. Don’t worry, we can still see you during your scheduled appointment too!” Even if you don’t think your vision change is not a big deal, it’s still important to talk to your doctor to make sure it isn’t linked to something more serious.
Once you have met with your doctor to determine what is behind the change in your vision, consider reaching out for vision rehabilitation services like those offered by the Council. You may need some advice about steps to take to remain safe and independent. Perhaps you could benefit from a few adaptive aids and strategies to help manage daily activities.
Maintaining good eye health is part of staying healthy, and your eyes can alert your doctor to other medical issues you might be experiencing. If you notice any sudden changes in your vision, call your doctor right away.
