Has it been a while since you’ve had your eyes checked?
It’s hard to remember when your last eye exam was, and maybe you were hoping it happened last winter. If so, you might be in for a rude shock.
Our eyes change throughout the course of our lives, so your prescription may have changed without your knowledge. And you know it’s not good to leave your prescription unchecked.
If you’re experiencing any of the following signs, it’s time to get your vision tested to get an updated eyeglass prescription.
We’ve also added some quick and handy tips all related to improving your vision, so eyes below! We’re getting started.
1. Outdated Glasses
Back in the day, eyeglass features such as glare and UV protection were only a figment of the imagination. Nowadays, prescription glasses have improved immensely, thanks to technology.
So if your eyeglasses don’t have those extra eye-protective abilities, or if they look terribly out of fashion, that’s a good indication that you’ve had them from way, way back.
There’s no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to how frequently you should be replacing your prescription. However, if it’s clear that it’s been a long time since you got your eyeglasses, then you don’t have to wait for any other sign. Get a new pair.
Besides, that’s a great reason to jazz up your style.
2. Trouble Seeing or Reading
There’s probably no more of an obvious way to know if you need to update your prescription than blurry eyes. In fact, any change in your vision, even if they don’t last, could be a sign that you need new glasses.
If you notice that your vision in one eye is not exactly the same as in the other, that could also be a sign. In some cases, eye conditions don’t always progress laterally, which is just another reason to get regular eye check-ups.
It’s important that your prescriptions are the right match for the right eye. Besides, blurry vision can also be a sign of other medical conditions, so the safest way to go is always to get regular eye scans.
3. Unexplained Headaches
One of the first few signs you need new eyeglasses is frequent unexplained headaches. When your eyes are changing, your brain is the first to tell and respond by making up for that change.
This means your eyes will start to work harder than they should to maintain your good vision, leading to strain and pain. After a while of trying to make your vision better, your brain will give up.
That’s when you’ll start having the headaches, which then become your constant reminder of the need for you to upgrade your glasses. You can get relief from pain relievers, but until you update your prescription, those headaches will just keep coming back.
4. Forever Tired Eyes
Eye fatigue is when you can’t get clear vision without straining your eyes too much. Like your overworked brain, your eyes work too hard as well to compensate for your poor eyesight. As a result, they become fatigued.
There are many reasons we get eye fatigue, from the flu to allergies. In recent years, however, the most common culprit has been excessive technology use.
So to relieve your eyes, take your eyes off the screen for a while. If you don’t feel any improvement, and there’s no other apparent reason for your eye fatigue, then it might be due to changes in your vision. In that case, you’ll have to update your eyeglasses.
5. Photophobia (Sensitivity to Bright Light)
If you’re not usually sensitive to bright light but, all of a sudden, you are, then you should see your eye doctor. There could still be a whole range of potential reasons behind photophobia, such as an eye infection, eye fatigue, and other more urgent eye conditions.
Or, yes, it could simply be time for a new prescription This is why it’s important to see your optometrist as soon as you notice something different.
If they think that there is a medical reason behind your photosensitivity, they will refer you to an ophthalmologist, who will, in turn, refer you to the right medical specialist as necessary.
For example, if the ophthalmologist thinks your light sensitivity could be related to your diabetes, they might have you visit a specialist. In any case, if you simply need a new prescription, then you need to get it as soon as possible.
6. Watery Eyes
Like photophobia, watery eyes can also clue you in on a wide variety of potential causes. From allergies to dry eyes, this condition can be bothersome, no matter how innocent it may seem.
Imagine yourself at work and not being able to concentrate on a meeting because your eyes wouldn’t stop tearing up. Again, the best step to take is to see your eye doctor, who may consider updating your prescription as a treatment.
7. Frequent Squinting
Another common sign you should pay attention to is frequent squinting. This can tell you that your current prescription is no longer adequate for your needs.
People squint to increase their visual focus while limiting the amount of light that gets through them. Normally, you wouldn’t do this if you have no problem with your eyes or your eyeglasses.
However, if you’re wearing prescription eyeglasses, which are supposed to keep you from squinting, then you might need a new pair.
8. Cracked or Damaged Eyeglasses
When people think of possible signs they need a new prescription, cracked or damaged eyeglasses might be the last to enter their minds. You may wonder about that too, but what you’re thinking now is true.
If your eyeglasses have dings, scratches, cracks, or anything similar, that means they’ve been affecting your vision without you even knowing it. And the way they affect your vision could have a physical impact on your eyes.
Usually, you will feel this as eye strain or any type of eye discomfort. As a solution, you need to get a new prescription to correct any eye issues you may be dealing with as a result.
Speaking of cracked or damaged eyeglasses, you may also notice that they tend to be harder to clean than a brand new pair. That’s because eyeglasses come with special coatings that break down with cracks and other effects. That is the simple reason you’ll have a hard time cleaning them.
How Often Should You Get Your Eyeglass Prescription Checked?
How often you need to get your eyes checked depends on several factors, such as your age, health condition, and many others. Generally, however, experts recommend a periodic eye examination at least every 2 years if you’re between the ages of 18 and 64.
If you fall within this group but you have a history of eye problems or health issues that impact your vision, then you might want to get more check-ups.
If you’re wearing eye prescription glasses, that’s also a sign that you should be getting at least once-a-year eye check-ups. However, if you sense any of the above-listed signs, then you obviously don’t have to wait a year to see your eye doctor.
If you’re older than 65, you may need to have your eyes checked at least once a year. This is because you will naturally be more prone to more eye issues, including the common cataracts.
What Happens If You Delay Changing Your Prescription?
There are three things that can happen when you don’t change your eyeglasses when you need to. First, you could be setting yourself up for falls and other accidents.
When you’re having blurry or double vision, you could be in danger under certain situations, such as crossing the street or climbing up or down the stairs. Your risks also increase with age.
Another disadvantage is that you could be missing a medical condition and losing the chance to heal fully with an early diagnosis. Some medical conditions associated with vision problems include Lyme disease, sarcoidosis, and, of course, diabetes.
Third, if you don’t get your prescription checked when it’s due, your eyes will continue to suffer. As you get more eyestrain, headaches, fatigue, dryness, etc., your eye’s current state of health will continue to progress, and so will all those signs and symptoms.
Stop Stalling and Get Your Eyes Checked
Your eyes and vision play a crucial role in your day-to-day life and overall health, so don’t take them for granted. Make sure you get your eyeglass prescription checked on schedule or as soon as you’re noticing issues. The longer you leave the problem unchecked, the greater the damage will be.
Need to see more of our guides and tips? We cover varying topics that could be of use to your next project or just your everyday life, so check out our other articles!
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