Finding yourself squinting at a line of text or are you getting blurry vision? Then it might be time to get yourself a pair of glasses. Nothing to worry about, in fact, it's estimated that 63.7% of adult Americans wear prescription glasses, so you're not alone!
Eyesight naturally deteriorates as we age, so even if you didn’t need glasses before, you might need them now.
Our guide below will help you work out if you need glasses by going over common signs you need glasses, eye conditions that require glasses, and other common questions for first-time glasses wearers.
Common Signs You Need Glasses
Figuring out whether or not you need glasses can be difficult if you’ve never worn them before, here are some common signs you might need a pair of glasses.
- Struggling to see at night - If moving around at night seems harder or you're struggling to see at night when driving, book an optician appointment.
- Blurry vision - Far away or up close blurry vision when looking at objects shows you need glasses, especially if you cannot read text.
- Squinting to focus - Squinting can improve your vision when reading, squinting a lot to see shows you need glasses.
- Eye fatigue - Eye strain can be due to reading for a long time or staring at a screen but it can also be down to vision problems.
- Watery eyes - This could be due to allergies or vision problems that need to be checked out.
- Frequent headaches - Headaches during the later day or after staring at screens indicated vision problems.
- Seeing halos around lights - Halos around lights can make it harder to see clearly, especially at night. Conditions like astigmatism can lead to this.
- Double vision - Seeing double indicates a vision problem that must be corrected by wearing glasses.
- Time to adjust from light to dark and vice versa - Lights could temporarily cause you blindness when switching from dark to light quickly. As you get older, this adjustment takes longer, glasses can help.
Eye Problems Which Require Glasses
Now we know the symptoms of needing glasses in adults, let’s move on to common eye conditions that also require glasses to help correct eyesight.
- Astigmatism - This is when the cornea of your eye is misshapen, this can make objects have a halo or seem blurry. Eyeglasses can be used as treatment.
- Presbyopia - This happens with age, as your lenses become less flexible and can’t focus fast enough when reading. Reading glasses might be enough to fix this.
- Nearsightedness - Objects close to you are blurry, reading glasses can help with this.
- Farsightedness - Objects far away are blurry, and prescription glasses are needed.
If You Don't Wear Your Glasses Will Your Eyesight Get Worse?
Some people wonder what happens if you don’t wear glasses. Well, not much, but you will continue to struggle to see clearly and probably have symptoms such as headaches due to the extra eye strain.
This can lead to your eyes having to work harder and overtime could make them worse.
Can Glasses Make Your Vision Worse?
Wearing glasses does not make your vision worse or weaker, all they do is correct your vision as long as you're wearing the right prescription.
If you think your glasses make your vision worse, book an eye exam and ensure you have the right prescription since your vision might have deteriorated.
How To Improve Eyesight When You Have Glasses
Strengthening your vision and maintaining it is key to avoiding bad vision when you're older.
You can try eye exercises like palming, long-distance viewing, and blinking to reduce eye fatigue and of course, a nutrient-rich diet to support your vision.
How Often Should I Go For An Eye Checkup?
Regular eye exams are important to ensure that your glasses are still correct for your vision needs. Every 1-2 years or when you experience vision problems should be sufficient.
Having regular eye exams can check your eye health in general and catch any signs of eye conditions early. They will also figure out which type of vision correction is best for you, whether it’s glasses, surgery, contact lenses, or reading glasses.
What To Do If You Need Glasses
If you need glasses, getting an eye exam booked first is key to knowing your prescription. Once you have your prescription you can choose your first pair of glasses at your opticians or buy them online.
Caring For Your Glasses
There are a few tips you need to know if these are your first pair of glasses so they can last long and support your vision needs.
- Replacing your glasses - We suggest replacing your glasses every 1-2 years or when you get a new prescription.
- Wearing your current glasses - We would not recommend wearing your glasses if they are the wrong prescription since they can cause eye strain.
- Clean your glasses - Cleaning dust off your glasses keeps the lenses in good condition and free of scratches.
- Store them properly - When not using your glasses, store them in their case to prevent accidental breakage.
How Much Are Prescription Glasses?
Prescription glasses vary in price, there are many factors to consider such as the style, lenses, and the prescription itself. Prescription glasses could cost anything from $10 - $200.
Can You Get Headache From Glasses & Blurry Vision?
If you're getting a headache after wearing glasses then it could be a sign your lenses are the wrong prescription. It may also be the frame style or eye fatigue that is causing a headache.
For vision blurriness it may be a sign of an existing eye condition or once again, the wrong prescription.
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