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Over 60 percent of people have to wear glasses or contacts due to poor vision. Wearing glasses isn’t something you should be ashamed about or avoid like the plague. Instead, compare wearing glasses to taking daily medication for your health. It’s is a simple step you’re taking to improve your health. Many people deny that their vision has gotten worse over the years. Their glasses may be years old or the prescription may not even be accurate anymore. But how can you tell when it’s the right time to get new glasses since they don’t come with an expiration date?
Keep reading to discover some of the top signs you need new glasses.
1. You Struggle to Read or See:
It seems like one of the most obvious eyes health tips, but if you’re struggling to read or see, it’s time for new glasses. Your eyesight usually changes gradually, so it can be hard to notice that you are struggling to see since the change is so subtle. This is why it’s important to test your vision every once in a while. Take a look at a nearby outdoor roadsign or decor item with words inside of your home. Can you make out all the letters? Do you have to squint to read what it says?
You may be fooling yourself into thinking your vision is okay because you remember what the sign says. Stop and take a moment to make sure you can truly read all the individual letters. If not, you need new glasses. If you think you or a family member may be struggling to see, you can also try this official at-home eye test.
2. Your Eyes Feel Strained or Tired:Wondering how often should you get eye exams? Make sure you stay aware of how your eyes are feeling at the end of a normal day. When your eyesight is poor, your eyes have to work harder to help you see. That means that at the end of the day, you’re eyes become tired and overworked. This can lead to blurred vision, watery eyes, or just general eye fatigue.
The more overworked your eyes become, the quicker your eyesight can worsen. As soon as you notice that your eyes are tired at the end of a regular day, you need to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.
3. You’re Experiencing Frequent Headaches:One of the less obvious signs you need an eye exam is if you’re experiencing more frequent headaches than usual. Many people associate headaches with stress or medical issues, but many eye conditions lead to headaches.
Most commonly, headaches can be caused by eye strain or farsightedness. This means you need a normal eye appointment to update your glasses prescription. Once that’s completed, your headaches should disappear.
But in some cases, your headaches could be caused by more severe eye issues. This could include inflammation of the arteries in your temple or rare types of Glaucoma. Your eye doctor will be able to diagnose if your headaches are caused by a serious issue and help you correct the problem before you start to permanently lose your vision.
4. Your Glasses Are Damaged or Outdated:Sometimes the best time to get new glasses is not when you’re having an issue with your eyesight. Instead, your glasses themselves may be damaged or outdated.
Are your glasses held together with tape? Do you have a large crack in your glasses that makes it hard to see? There’s no reason to walk around with damaged glasses. Instead, schedule an eye doctor appointment to repair your glasses or order a new pair.
You should also order new glasses if your current ones are outdated in appearance or simply don’t flatter your face. If you’re embarrassed by your glasses, odds are you won’t be wearing them as frequently as you should be. You want your glasses to act as a fashion accessory and add to your overall look.
5. It’s Been Over a Year Since Your Last Appointment:Stop and take a moment to think about the last time you set foot into an eye doctor’s office. Was it over one year ago? If so, the prescription on your glasses could be outdated and you might not even know it. If you’re wondering how often to see the eye doctor, the period is the same as your normal family doctor — one annual appointment is recommended.
During your annual appointment, your ophthalmologist will check your eyesight to see if your prescription needs to be updated. If your prescription hasn’t changed, you won’t need new glasses and you’ll be good until next year. They’ll also take a look at your eyes to see if they can diagnose any other health issues.
Some people avoid the eye doctor due to the associated costs. But what many people don’t realize is that most health insurance plans include an add-on option for eye insurance. This means that your annual appointment and any glasses or contacts will be somewhat covered by your insurance.
But, if you experience any of the above issues with your glasses or eyes, you can schedule an appointment sooner than one year since your previous one. Just contact your preferred office, like Eye Doctor Nampa, and inform them about your eyesight issues. They’ll schedule you for an appointment as soon as possible to resolve the issue.
Do You Recognize Any of the Signs You Need New Glasses?If you recognize any of these common signs you need new glasses, then it’s time to make an appointment with your eye doctor immediately.
The longer you go without having a proper prescription, the worse your eyes can get. Any prolonged strain or pressure you put on your eyes can cause your eyesight to get worse. Your annual eye doctor appointment is just as important as your annual wellness check with your family doctor.
Looking for ways to protect your eyes between your yearly appointments? Head to the Medical Tips section of this site for all the best advice from real nurses.
