When should I see an eye doctor?

Visit an eye care professional if you have:

• decreased vision
• eye pain
• drainage or redness of the eye
• double vision
• diabetes

Or if you see:

• flashes of light
• floaters (tiny specks that appear to float before your eyes)
• circles, or halos, around light sources

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Most people never develop eye disease as they get older; it's likely that you'll need little more than reading glasses and better lighting. But it's wise to see an ophthalmologist if you experience any of the following symptoms or problems:

• bulging of the eyes
• change in iris color
• crossed eyes
• dark spot in the center of your field of vision
• difficulty focusing on near or distant objects
• double vision
• dry eyes with itching or burning
• episodes of cloudy vision
• excess discharge or tearing
• eye pain
• floaters or flashes
• growing bump on the eyelid
• halos (colored circles around lights) or glare
• hazy or blurred vision
• inability to close eyelid
• loss of peripheral vision
• redness of or around the eye
• spots in your field of vision
• sudden loss of vision
• trouble adjusting to dark rooms
• unusual sensitivity to light or glare
• veil obstructing vision
• wavy or crooked appearance to straight lines