Beware of 5 Strange Eye Problems

That's why most experts recommend getting a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, even if you don't need a new prescription. But even if you're getting regular eye exams, the following strange signs still warrant special attention and should be checked out as soon as possible.

1. You see floating cobwebs and flashing lights

In the back chamber of the eye, or posterior chamber, there is a part of the eye called the vitreous humor, and it has the consistency of egg whites. As you age and this jelly-like substance becomes thinner, it forms floaters, often looking like cobwebs or specks in your eye.

They're usually harmless - you've probably seen them once or twice - but if you notice a sudden increase in the number of floaters, see an eye doctor as soon as possible, as it could mean that the retina and blood vessels in the eye have been torn. If you're also seeing flashes of light, it could be a sign of retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness.

Depending on the location and size of the tear, your doctor may treat it with laser or cryotherapy, inject a gas bubble into the eye to press the retina back into its normal position, or require eye surgery.

2. Eyes hurt or burn

Inflammation or irritation is the main culprit here, often leading to itching and burning – and this is often a condition called blepharitis, caused by bacteria or a tiny mite that lives on the eyelids. Luckily, baby shampoo mixed with warm water is a quick fix.

Other possibilities include a chalazion – a painful infection or inflammation of the oil glands in the eyelid. Doctors will often give you compresses to drain the inflamed sac – essentially a “pimple on the eyelid”. If it doesn’t drain on its own, surgery may be necessary.

You can also get “sunburn” in your eyes, a condition called photokeratitis, from exposure to UV rays in sunlight or artificial light sources like tanning beds. This condition is also called “snow blindness” if the sun reflects brightly off surfaces like sand, water, ice, or snow. This condition usually clears up on its own, but your doctor may prescribe eye drops if there is a risk of infection.

3. Extremely red or dry eyes

Redness means the eye is irritated and the blood vessels are dilated and can be caused by a number of things: chemical irritants like onions or an allergic reaction (for example pollen or cat dander).

Another possible cause is dryness, when the eye doesn't produce enough tears to keep its surface lubricated. Doctors may recommend using eye lubricants or artificial tears first - if they help, you may not need to see a doctor.

If not, it's time to see your doctor. Your doctor can test your tear production to see if you have chronic dry eye or an autoimmune disorder that requires more than eye drops.

4. New moles or freckles on your eyes

If you've always had a "freckle" on your eye, your doctor has probably told you, but if a new one appears, it always needs to be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.

And that's if you can see it - sometimes moles can be behind your eye and you don't even know it. The problem with moles is that they can turn into malignant melanoma.

It's extremely rare, but definitely something to be aware of. If a malignant tumor or melanoma develops in the back of the eye, vision symptoms can soon appear, ranging from blurred vision to complete retinal detachment - again a sign that you should see an eye doctor immediately.

5. Seeing double (double vision)

Seeing double when both eyes are open can mean that the eye muscles are not working properly. The cause could be a neurological condition - possibly even a brain tumor or stroke.

Double vision in one eye, which is less common, can be caused by a cataract or a problem involving the retina.

If it is just a problem with the eye muscles, sometimes cylindrical lenses can be used temporarily as eyeglasses, which can help correct vision by bending light to align two images into one. There are also surgical methods to correct misalignment of the eye muscles.

If there is a neurological problem, the ophthalmologist will usually order an MRI or CAT scan. Treatment will definitely require the involvement of other specialists.