9 Telltale Signs You Need Glasses

Over 60 percent of American adults wear prescription glasses. If you’re not seeing as clearly as you used to, it might be about time to get on board.

But, how do you know if you need glasses, or if there’s something else going on? We can help you out.

There are several signs you need glasses you should be watching out for. Here are some common ones.

1. Blurred Vision

Blurred vision is a common sign that you may need glasses. Blurred vision can occur when your eye shape prevents light from focusing directly on your retina, causing objects to appear blurry or out of focus.

This is usually corrected with glasses or contact lenses that correct the refractive error in your eye, allowing light to focus properly on the retina.

If you are experiencing blurred vision, it’s important to book an eye doctor appointment so that you can get an eye exam to figure out your problem and get help with vision correction.

2. Eye Strain

Eye strain occurs when your eyes are working too hard to see clearly, which can be caused by many different things, such as uncorrected vision problems, poor lighting, or spending extended periods of time looking at a computer or digital screen.

If you’re experiencing eye strain, taking frequent breaks and practicing good eye care habits can help reduce eye strain and improve your overall eye health. If your troubles continue, it might be a sign you need corrective measures.

3. Headaches

Frequent headaches are another sign you might need glasses. Headaches can be caused by uncorrected refractive errors in the eyes, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. When your eyes are working too hard to focus on objects, it can lead to eye strain and tension headaches.

If you experience headaches after reading, using a computer, or doing other visual tasks, you’ll need to determine if glasses or contact lenses may help alleviate the problem. It’s also important to practice good eye care habits and take frequent breaks to prevent headaches.

4. Difficulty Seeing at Night

Difficulty seeing at night is yet another sign you might need glasses. This can occur when you have a refractive error, such as myopia (nearsightedness), that causes difficulty seeing distant objects clearly in low-light conditions. In addition, certain eye conditions, such as cataracts or age-related macular degeneration can also cause difficulty seeing at night.

Difficulty seeing at night can be a sign that you need glasses or a change in your current prescription. However, there can be other underlying causes of night blindness. These include:

• Vitamin A deficiency
• Retinitis pigmentosa
• Glaucoma
• Diabetes
• Age-related macular degeneration

There are also some other things you should do to prevent problems with night blindness. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery at night if possible.

Make sure your headlights and windshield are completely clean and in good working condition. Increase the lighting in your home, particularly in rooms where you spend your time during the evening.

Always wear sunglasses during the day to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can exacerbate night blindness.

5. Squinting

Squinting is a natural response to try and improve clarity of vision. When you squint, you narrow the opening through which light enters the eye, which can help reduce light levels entering the eye and improve focus.

However, if you find yourself frequently squinting to see clearly, it may indicate an underlying vision problem such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

Squinting can also cause eye strain, tension headaches, and wrinkles around the eyes.

6. Eye Fatigue

Eye fatigue can occur when your eyes are working too hard to focus, such as when reading or using a computer, and can be caused by uncorrected refractive errors in the eyes.

If your eyes feel tired, achy, or strained after visual tasks, it may indicate that you need to take measures to correct your vision.

Additionally, spending extended periods of time looking at digital screens can also cause eye fatigue, and taking frequent breaks and practicing good eye care habits can help alleviate this problem.

7. Double Vision

Double vision is also called diplopia. Double vision occurs when you see duplicate images of one object. This can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions, including refractive errors such as astigmatism, or problems with the muscles that control eye movement. Other causes of double vision that may not involve glasses include:

• Strabismus
• Eye muscle disorders
• Neurological conditions
• Head injury
• Brain tumors
• Migraine
• Medications

If you suspect your double vision is caused by something other than poor eyesight, talk to your primary care physician.

8. Blurred Vision at a Distance

Blurred vision at a distance can occur when your eye shape prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, which can result in objects appearing blurry or out of focus. This can be caused by refractive problems such as nearsightedness or farsightedness.

9. Rubbing Your Eyes

Rubbing your eyes alone is not necessarily a sign that you need glasses. There can be various different reasons why someone might rub their eyes, including fatigue, allergies, dryness, and irritation.

However, if you find yourself frequently rubbing your eyes to try and focus or see more clearly, or if you experience headaches or eye strain while reading or using screens, these may be signs that you need glasses or a change in your current prescription.

Signs You Need Glasses: Now You Know

If you’re struggling with any of these signs you need glasses, it’s important to visit an eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.

Do you need eye care in Cedar Park, Texas? Contact Cedar Park Vision today.