Keeping your glasses prescription up to date is critical for maintaining good eye health and clear vision. A new prescription can help prevent unnecessary eye strain, headaches, and even accidents caused by blurry or distorted vision. Common signs that you need new glasses range from regular squinting to scratched lenses. Recognizing the symptoms is an important part of taking care of your eyes. Start a search today to find local optometrists and online glasses retailers.
Shutterstock: fizkesImportance of Regular Eye Exams
Regular eye exams allow an optometrist to check for any changes in your vision and catch potential issues early. Over time, our eyes can change without us even noticing. If your prescription isn’t accurate, you might be straining your eyes without realizing it, which can lead to discomfort, headaches, and worsening vision. Let’s take a close look at the common signs you need to get a new glasses prescription.
Frequent Headaches
One of the signs you may need a new glasses prescription is experiencing frequent headaches.1 If you’re having headaches more often than usual, particularly at the end of the day or after reading or using a computer, it might mean your current prescription is no longer accurate. This happens because your eyes are straining to compensate for the lack of visual clarity, causing discomfort and headaches.
Eye Strain or Fatigue
Experiencing eye strain, especially during tasks that require visual focus like reading, writing, or working on a computer, might indicate a need for an updated prescription. Your eyes might feel sore, heavy, or overly sensitive to light. If you notice these symptoms frequently, it may be time to schedule an eye exam.
Blurry Vision
Blurred vision can be a strong indication that your current prescription is outdated. If objects or words seem fuzzy, whether close up or at a distance, your eyes might be working overtime to achieve clear vision. This blurry vision may be sporadic, occurring only at certain times of the day, or it may be persistent. Either way, it’s a signal to get your eyes checked.
Squinting
Squinting narrows your field of view and may momentarily enhance your focus, essentially creating a makeshift pair of glasses. If you find yourself squinting regularly to see clearly, this might be a sign that your prescription is no longer suitable. Squinting often can lead to headaches and eye fatigue, making it important to address this issue promptly.
Difficulty Reading
Are you having trouble reading text that was once clear to you?2 Maybe you’re holding books further away, or maybe words on your digital devices are harder to decipher. These could be signs your current prescription isn’t powerful enough anymore, indicating a need for a new pair of glasses.
Scratched Lenses
Even minor scratches on your glasses can significantly impact your vision. Scratched lenses can cause glare and blur, making it hard to see clearly, especially when reading or driving. If your glasses are scratched, it’s not just a matter of aesthetics – your eyesight is affected, too. This is a definite sign it’s time to replace your glasses and possibly update your prescription.
Coatings Are Breaking Down
Many glasses come with special coatings like anti-glare, blue light filter, or UV protection, which can gradually wear down over time. When these coatings start to break down, you might notice smudges that don’t wipe off, spots, or a strange rainbow effect on your lenses. This can affect your comfort and your ability to see clearly. It’s important to have your glasses checked by an optician if you notice any changes in the coatings.
Your Prescription Is a Year Old
Eye health professionals generally recommend having an eye exam at least once every one to two years.3 Eyes can change gradually, often without noticeable symptoms. Regular check-ups can also detect early signs of eye conditions that can be treated effectively if caught early. If it’s been a year or more since your last eye exam, it’s a good idea to schedule a check-up and update your prescription if needed.
The Takeaway
Paying close attention to these signs can help you maintain optimal eye health and vision quality. Regularly updating your glasses prescription isn’t just about seeing better — it’s also about preventing eye strain, reducing headaches, and even safeguarding your overall health.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to schedule an eye exam and update your prescription. Even if you’re not, remember that regular check-ups are a key part of preventative eye care. So, listen to your eyes. They might be telling you it’s time for an update.
