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As you age, your eyesight may not be as strong as it once was because your vision can change over time.

If you need glasses, you’re not alone: it is estimated that 75% of adults use some form of vision correction.¹

And even if you think that you can see perfectly fine, you might not realize that you need glasses. That’s why it’s important to get your eyes checked periodically and have a professional test your vision.

No matter if your eyesight changes in a large or small way, you should consider seeing an eye doctor if you notice a difference in your vision. Here are 10 signs that you might need glasses.

1. Blurred vision. If you have trouble recognizing people, objects, and your general surroundings, then you might be developing farsightedness or nearsightedness. Farsightedness is when you can see faraway objects clearly but struggle with looking at them up close. Nearsightedness is when you can recognize people and items up close but have trouble looking at them from faraway.

2. Squinting. If you find yourself squinting to read the print of the novel you’re reading, or you have trouble reading signs while driving, then this might be a sign that you need glasses. Squinting causes your eyes to work harder because the pupil gets smaller, which helps you focus more on what you are looking at.²

3. Headaches. Headaches are caused when the eye strains itself to see an image because the muscles in your eye work harder in the cornea and lens.³ If you have trouble seeing and experience headaches when you squint, then you should visit an eye doctor.

4. Clouded vision. If you notice the lens of your eye is beginning to cloud, this is a sign of cataracts. Cataracts can blur your vision and make it difficult to distinguish objects at night. Many people describe cataracts as if they are looking through a foggy window on a winter day. It’s important to see a doctor if you think you are developing cataracts, especially in the early stages.⁴

5. Seeing “halos.” When you see halos around lights, this is due to diffraction. Diffraction is when light enters your eye and bends, which causes the halo effect. Halos can be caused by farsightedness, nearsightedness, cataracts, and astigmatism.⁵

6. Eyestrain. Another reason you may need glasses is if you experience frequent eye strain. Eyestrain can make you lose focus and cause you to grow tired faster. Eye strain can be caused by multiple things including dry eyes, screens, and lighting changes. Eye strains can also cause headaches because the muscles in your eyes are working harder.⁶

7. Trouble seeing at night. If you can’t see objects when you’re walking at night or have trouble differentiating between objects in dimmer light, this could be a sign that you need to get glasses.⁷

8. Wavy vision. Also known as Metamorphopsia, this affects the eye’s central vision and causes your surroundings to appear wavy. If you notice flat items are rounded, shapes are distorted, or you have trouble with depth perception, this could be a sign you need glasses.⁸

9. Loss of focus. If you have trouble focusing on your computer or reading text, it could be a sign of presbyopia. Presbyopia is a condition where the eyes will slowly lose the ability to see objects clearly when up-close.⁹

10. Eye pressure. If you experience any eye pressure or pain, it could be a sign of glaucoma, which is when fluids build up in the eye. This puts pressure on the eye and can damage the optic nerve. If glaucoma goes untreated, it can cause blindness and vision loss, which is why it’s important to have your vision checked.¹⁰

How Often Should You See an Optometrist?

Even if you think that your vision is fine, you should get periodic eye exams. Optometrists not only check your eyesight capabilities, but they also make sure that your eyes are healthy and that you don’t have conditions such as macular degeneration, cancer, cataracts, and amblyopia.

Depending on your age is how often you should see the eye doctor:¹¹

• Ages 20-39: Every 5 years
• Ages 40-54: Every 2-4 years
• Ages 55-64: Every 1-3 years
• Ages 65+: Every 1-2 years

If you wear glasses, you may need to visit your eye doctor more often depending on your prescription and eyesight needs. If it’s been a while since you’ve had an eye appointment, you should consider getting checked out just in case.

We Encourage You to Get Your Vision Checked

If you or a loved one notice an immediate change in your eyesight, go visit your local optometrist and get an eye exam today. Your eye doctor will let you know if you need prescription glasses and can help you with any other steps you need to keep your eyesight healthy.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided

Sources

1. https://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/faq/why-people-wear-glasses/
2. https://www.empireretina.com/practice_news/squinting-bad-eye-health/
3. https://www.eyesiteonwellness.com/do-i-need-glasses/
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353790
5. https://www.verywellhealth.com/halos-around-lights-5092835
6. https://www.magrudereye.com/eyeglasses/9-major-signs-you-need-glasses/
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-improve-eyesight
8. https://www.healthline.com/health/metamorphopsia
9. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/expert-answers/presbyopia-symptom/faq-20058362
10. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4212-glaucoma
11. https://www.aetna.com/health-guide/2020-vision-still-need-eye-exam.html