Did you know there are actually two types of professionals referred to as "eye doctors?" Optometrists are the doctors who conduct basic eye exams and prescribe glasses and contacts. Ophthalmologists are doctors with a more in-depth knowledge of eye health and the various ailments that can affect the eyes. Most people with healthy eyes can get away with just seeing an optometrist once a year for a general exam, but there are a few signs, including the following, that indicate that you really need to see an ophthalmologist.

Floaters in your field of vision

Sometimes floaters in your visual field are harmless. However, they can also be a sign of damage to your retina, which is the part of the eye that helps focus light on your optic nerve. Retinal damage is usually irreversible, so you really want to catch and manage it right away. An ophthalmologist can examine your retina using a special microscope and make sure the floaters don't indicate anything more serious. If there is damage to your retina, they can get to the bottom of what's causing it to make sure it does not get any worse.

Eye Pain

If your eyes are occasionally itchy, this is likely just a sign of allergies or exposure to irritants. However, if you are feeling actual pain in your eyes, there is probably a bigger problem underlying it. Severe eye pain can be a sign of glaucoma, which is a condition in which the pressure in your eye increases, eventually causing damage to your optic nerve. Your ophthalmologist can check you for glaucoma using a special test that measures the pressure inside your eye.

Sensitivity to Light

Does light give you headaches or make you want to squint? This could be a sign of a condition called uveitis. This is basically an inflammatory condition and can arise due to physical damage to the eye, as a side effect of an untreated infection, or even as the result of certain nutrient deficiencies. Uveitis can also cause you to see halos around lights. Your ophthalmologist can treat uveitis, so there's no reason to go on suffering.

Ophthalmologists are very knowledgeable medical professionals who can diagnose and treat a whole range of eye conditions. Reach out if you have any sort of strange eye-related symptoms. You're better off safe than sorry.

To learn more, contact a local doctor that provides ophthalmology services.