Practical advice on everyday eye care, common symptoms and when to seek help. Eye examinations can detect problems before you notice a change in vision.
Information checked and updated: 14 October 2026. This is general education, not a diagnosis or a personalised treatment plan.
Sudden loss of sight or severe eye pain needs immediate emergency assessment. Go to your nearest emergency department; do not drive yourself.
New flashes, a sudden increase in floaters, or a dark curtain or shadow across your vision need urgent assessment the same day. Do not wait for a routine appointment or a WhatsApp reply.
Sources: NHS: vision loss; NHS: floaters and flashes. In South Africa, use your local emergency service or nearest emergency department.
Yes. Some eye conditions have no early warning signs. Ask your optometrist how often to return based on your age, symptoms, family history and medical conditions. A comprehensive examination may include checking eye pressure and examining the retina, with dilation when appropriate.
Contact lenses correct vision, but need professional fitting and careful hygiene. Follow your prescribed wearing and replacement schedule.
Remove your lenses and contact an eye-care professional. Pain, redness, light sensitivity or reduced vision needs prompt assessment. Do not keep wearing lenses or try to treat the problem by changing brands yourself.
Source: CDC: safe contact-lens wear.
Both eyes normally work together. Problems such as convergence insufficiency can cause blurred or double vision, headaches or tired eyes during reading and other close work. You may lose your place or close one eye. Clear distance vision does not rule out an eye-teaming problem; describe these symptoms during your examination.
Targeted exercises can help diagnosed convergence insufficiency, and some people need prism glasses or other treatment. The right approach depends on the diagnosis. Vision training is not a general guarantee of better learning, sports performance or eyesight. Have persistent symptoms assessed before starting exercises.
Long periods of close work and reduced blinking can cause tired, dry or uncomfortable eyes.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology: screen habits and blue light.
A prescription suited to your working distance may help if you have a focusing or prescription need. Not everyone needs special computer glasses. Blue-light-blocking lenses have not been shown to reliably relieve digital eye strain, and ordinary computer glasses are not proven to prevent myopia progression or damage from screens.
Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology: computer and blue-light glasses.
Uncorrected prescriptions, astigmatism, dry eyes and cataracts can contribute to glare or difficulty seeing at night. New or worsening symptoms deserve an eye examination rather than being dismissed as ageing.
Wear your prescribed driving glasses and keep your lenses and windscreen clean. Avoid driving at night if you cannot see safely.
Do not rely on tinted lenses to solve night-driving problems: they reduce the light reaching your eyes. An anti-reflection coating can reduce reflections from spectacle surfaces, but does not treat an underlying eye condition. Ask your optometrist about your symptoms and suitable clear lenses.
Source: College of Optometrists: glare and spectacle advice.
Keep up with childhood vision screening and arrange an examination if a screening is failed or there are concerns. Children may not realise that one eye sees poorly. Squinting, an eye turn, closing one eye or difficulty with visual tasks should be assessed.
Amblyopia (reduced vision developing in childhood) is best treated early. Glasses, patching or other treatment should be prescribed and monitored by an eye-care professional, not started at home without advice.
Source: AAPOS: amblyopia.
A white pupil or unusual white reflection in a child’s eye needs urgent medical assessment.
Source: AAPOS: white pupil (leukocoria).
Encourage daily outdoor time with sun protection, regular breaks from close work and a comfortable reading distance. If short-sightedness (myopia) is progressing, ask about an individual management plan. Specialised spectacle or contact lenses and certain prescribed treatments may slow progression; suitability and follow-up depend on the child.
Source: AAPOS: myopia in children.
Diabetes can damage small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy may develop without noticeable symptoms. People with diabetes generally need a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least yearly; your clinician may recommend more frequent checks.
Managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol with your healthcare team helps reduce the risk of vision loss. Report any new visual changes promptly.
Tell your optometrist about high blood pressure and any family history of glaucoma so your examination and follow-up can be tailored to your risk.
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve and often has no early symptoms. Early detection and treatment can help protect remaining vision; an eye-pressure reading alone is not a complete assessment.
Source: National Eye Institute: glaucoma.
Source: National Eye Institute: examination and risk factors.
Choose sunglasses labelled UV400 or 99–100% UVA and UVB protection, and wear a brimmed hat. Dark lenses alone do not guarantee UV protection.
Source: National Eye Institute: UV protection.
For routine advice or an eye examination, contact Absolute Eyecare in Grassy Park or Retreat.
Contact our branchesThe linked sources provide further reading. Individual examination and treatment recommendations may differ according to your needs.
