How long has it been since you had your eyes checked to see if your eyeglass prescription changed?
The American Optometric Association recommends that adults who are asymptomatic or loss risk get their eyes examined at least every two years. For adults who are at risk, they recommend getting an eye exam every year, unless recommended otherwise by their doctor.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention notes that having your eyes examined is an important part of taking care of your health. Because when you get an eye exam, your eye doctor also checks your eyes for early signs of eye disease, eye movement issues, depth perception problems, and more.
Whether you have had your eyes examined as recommended or not, there are issues that can arise that indicate your vision may have changed since you last got new glasses. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment to see your eye doctor as soon as possible.
Here’s what you should be looking for.
Your Vision is Blurry
Blurry vision can occur for many reasons. So if you notice blurry vision in one or both your eyes, make an appointment to see your eye doctor. It can mean your vision has changed or something more serious.
Blurry vision can be caused by nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It can also be a sign of developing cataracts and other serious eye problems.
Pregnant women can also suffer from blurred vision or double vision. If this occurs, an eye exam and a visit to a medical doctor is recommended. These vision changes can be a sign of high blood pressure or a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.
You’re Getting Headaches
If you are getting headaches or more headaches than normal, it may be due to a change in your vision. Even a slight change in your vision can make your eyes have to work harder to see. This added tension can cause your head to ache.
Depending on whether you are nearsighted or farsighted, your headache pain can present itself in different areas of your head. So if you are getting headaches between your eyebrows and the front of your head, it could be eye-related.
You Keep Squinting
Squinting is what some people do when they are having trouble focusing on something. When you squint, it lets less light into your eye and changes the shape of your eye. This can temporarily let you see better.
But if you notice, for example, that you now have to squint when looking at something close up or far away, that you used to be able to see just fine (when your glasses were new), it is definitely a sign you need to get an eye exam.
Also, you may not notice if you are squinting or how much. So if someone you spend time with at home, work, or play mentions that they notice you are squinting, take heed and follow up with your eye doctor.
Your Eyes Often Feel Strained or Tired
It is normal for your eyes to feel strained or tired from to time. If self-care doesn’t keep the symptoms from returning or if these symptoms occur regularly, make an appointment with your eye doctor.
If you are noticing your eyes feel strained or tired after extended electronic screen viewing, you may need anti-reflective coating on your new lenses. This will protect your eyes from screen glare.
Anti-reflective coating also cuts down the glare people see when they look at you, so they will see your eyes more clearly.
You Hard a Hard Time Driving at Night
There are multiple reasons people can have trouble driving at night. Some are just a part of getting older, like developing cataracts.
But if you’re having this problem, your eye doctor can help you figure out why. And it’s possible you will find improvement with nighttime driving if you have anti-glare lenses put in your driving glasses.
Your Glasses are Damaged
Even if you’re careful, your glasses will sometimes get damaged. The lenses can get scratched or cracked which can cause headaches or eye strain. If your current lens type doesn’t already built-in, your eye doctor can recommend scratch-resistant coating on your next pair of glasses.
You may also have a special coating on your lenses which can wear out over time. It may cause your vision to be blurry.
The nose pads and arms on your glasses can also get bent or broken which can cause your eyeglasses to sit improperly on your face. When this happens, you may not be seeing correctly through your lenses as intended for your eyeglasses prescription.
It’s Been Too Long Since Your Last Eye Exam
If your eye doctor recommended you get an eye exam at a particular interval and it has been longer, it is time to get an eyeglass exam. Even if you haven’t noticed any changes in your vision.
It is possible that your vision may have stayed the same, but eye exams are about more than just determining your current ability to see. Regular eye exams help catch eye diseases and other irregularities sooner rather than later.
Make an Appointment for a New Eyeglass Prescription
Regular eye exams should be a part of your overall health care plan. Don’t put off seeing your eye doctor simply because you don’t think you need a change in your eyeglass prescription. Vision changes can be subtle, so it is possible you may not notice changes over time.
We can help find the best corrective vision solutions for you. Contact us today to set an appointment for an eye exam.
