Millions of people the world over either wear glasses or need them. There are many who realize that glasses would help them, but they don’t have access to glasses, and then there are those who haven’t realized how much they could benefit from a pair.
Untreated eye conditions can become much worse if they continue untreated. Not only that, but life is much more enjoyable when you can see what you’re up to!
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Do I need glasses?”, then take a look at some of the most common signs that you might:
You Experience Frequent Headaches
Headaches happen to everyone, whether it’s due to a lack of water, lack of sleep, or stress. But headaches are also a common symptom of eyes that have been pushed to their limit.
If you notice yourself squinting a lot or your eyes feel tired after a day at work or a couple of hours at a computer screen, and you see a rise in the frequency of headaches, you might need glasses. Overexertion of the eyes can cause headaches, but glasses can help save the day.
“Do I Need Glasses?” You Might if It’s Difficult to See Far Away Objects
If you need to move close to the television to watch it properly, or you find yourself squinting to read every sign as you drive by, there’s a good chance you might need glasses.
And while you might be tempted to blame it on the poor font or color choices of the sign or the quality of the television screen, if others are able to see the same object clearly, take it as a sign.
Your Eyes Feel Strained
Sitting and staring at a smartphone for hours on end can make anyone’s eyes feel achy, even if they don’t need glasses.
If your eyes aren’t focusing as well as they used to, your extra efforts to focus will leave your eyes feeling strained and even sore. So if you find yourself blinking a lot or straining to focus after you’ve been gazing at a screen or pages in a book, you might want to schedule an appointment with an eye doctor.
Double Vision Problems
Have you been noticing slight shadows around objects or letters when you look at them? This “double vision” issue is another common sign that glasses are in order.
Double vision, in particular, is a symptom of a condition called “astigmatism” which causes objects to look distorted. Astigmatism can affect patients of all ages, and most people have a mild form of it.
The most severe cases require glasses to correct the issue. While this condition is somewhat common, if left untreated, the symptoms will only worsen in time.
You Can’t Focus On Objects That Are Near
It’s not only the inability to see distant objects clearly that point to potential eyesight issues.
If you struggle to focus on objects that are near, you might be struggling with farsightedness (also known as “hyperopia”). This condition affects approximately 10% of the population, but prescription glasses can help.
You Become Dizzy Frequently
“Do I need glasses?” Well, if you find yourself dealing with a regular lightheaded feeling, or if you notice yourself becoming dizzy or unsteady when you stand up quickly, your eyes may be to blame.
If these dizzy spells happen whether you’re sitting or lying down, and they don’t seem to go away after many weeks, consider scheduling an appointment with your eye doctor.
You Struggle to See at Night
No one can see as clearly in the night as they can in broad daylight. But diminished night vision is often indicative of a problem with your eyesight, particularly if you notice halos of light around lightbulbs in the dark or headlights on cars.
You may be developing cataracts, astigmatism, or nearsightedness, all issues that the right pair of glasses can improve.
You Struggle With Light Adjustments
Having a hard time readjusting your vision when someone suddenly turns on a bright lamp? Feeling completely in the dark for several minutes when someone dims the lights?
It takes a moment for everyone to refocus when there’s a drastic change in lighting, but if it takes longer than it used to, or if your eyes never seem to fully adjust after the lighting changes significantly, this is a sign that you might need to have your eyes looked at. Your optometrist will examine your eyes and let you know if glasses are needed or not.
Glasses Are Common in Your Family
Genetics plays a huge role in determining your own eventual need for glasses. Poor eyesight is often hereditary, so if one or both of your parents wear glasses and struggle with their eyesight, chances are high that you’ll need glasses at some point as well.
Come In and Visit Us
Hopefully, you now have somewhat of an answer to the question, “Do I need glasses?”, but the only way to know for sure is by scheduling an appointment with an eye doctor.
If you’ve been noticing your vision struggling, why not give us a call or come in and visit us? You can book an eye exam with Dr. Wong online right on our website. And if you do need glasses, she’ll get you set up with the perfect pair in no time!
We look forward to serving you and helping you on your way toward better eyesight. July 17, 2019