Once you start wearing glasses, whether in childhood or adulthood, they quickly become a part of who you are. The truth is, you need to give up your glasses eventually, as vision changes over time, and the lenses may no longer serve their purpose. Not sure if the time is now? Here are six clear signs a new glasses prescription is necessary.
1. Blurry Vision
The first one is arguably the most obvious: you experience blurry vision. As someone who wears glasses, whether reading glasses for men or distance glasses for women, you will already know what that feels like. You’ll find difficulty seeing details in objects; the leaves on the trees may blur together, and you may struggle to notice someone you know well at a distance. If blurry vision occurs, it’s definitely time to get a new prescription. It might only be a minor change to your current level, but it can make a significant difference. You’ll love the feeling of crystal-clear vision!
2. Excessive Squinting
Everybody squints from time to time, especially when the sun is out. However, if you’re regularly squinting at screens, that’s an indication it’s time to book an appointment with your optician. Too much eye squinting can cause more problems over time, such as eye strain, headaches, and fatigue.
3. Your Eyes Feel Tired or Heavy
Do you feel like your eyes grow heavier and heavier as the day goes on? That’s not something you should have to put up with, and it is a sign that a new prescription is necessary. Tired or heavy eyes are usually caused by eye strain, which means your eyes are working harder than they would be if they had the right lenses.
4. Double Vision
If you see two objects when there’s only one, that’s called double vision. This is typically caused by strabismus, but other things may be affecting it. It’s important to see your optician so they can get to the underlying cause – often, a new pair of glasses is enough to sort the problem.
5. Seeing Halos Around Lights
Have you noticed a halo effect around lights, particularly at nighttime? While sometimes this is normal, if it’s happening most of the time when you can see a bright light, then you should book an appointment with your optician. A new prescription may be able to fix it, but it could also be a sign of a more serious condition, such as corneal oedema, cataracts, or astigmatism.
6. Your Last Eye Exam Was More Than Two Years Ago
Every glasses wearer should book an appointment with the optician at least once every two years – and even more frequently if any of the above signs occur sooner! Not only does this ensure your current glasses prescription is up-to-date, but it also means any potential eye conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma, are detected early, leading to better outcomes. So, if it’s been a few years since you last sat in the optician’s chair, it’s time to get your eyes tested.
