Wearing glasses is surprisingly common, with up to close to 64% of US adults, 166.5 million Americans, wearing prescription eyeglasses. Buying eyeglasses is not a one-time purchase. Beyond wanting new glasses for a change in style, most adults will need a new prescription regularly.
So how do you know when it’s time for new glasses? Fortunately, there are seven signs that let you know you may need a new prescription.
One of the most common reasons for blurred vision is an outdated eyeglass prescription. This can happen whether you’re nearsighted (trouble seeing things far away) or farsighted (difficulty seeing things close to you) or you have astigmatism (your eye isn’t shaped properly, making your vision blurry).
When was the last time you saw your eye doctor? If it’s been more than two years, it may be time to go back and get a new eyeglasses prescription. Experts recommend adults get a full eye examination at least every two years. But if you have additional medical issues like diabetes, heart disease or cancer, you may need to see your doctor every year.
When you go to a restaurant, do you have to put the menu right under your nose to read it? This may be a sign you’re farsighted. Or do you have to hold your phone at arm’s length? This could mean you’re nearsighted. Either way, not being able to read things you used to is a clear sign it’s time for new glasses.
If you can’t see the road as easily as you once did, you may be experiencing night blindness. This is when your eyes can’t adjust to the lesser amount of light available at night. Often, a new prescription will solve this problem.
Glasses prescriptions typically expire every one to two years, so that’s how frequently you can expect to update your prescription. It’s best to get an eye exam when you’re due, even if your prescription seems to have stayed the same.
Regardless of how long it’s been, if you notice even one of the seven signs above, it’s time to book your next eye appointment. Vision is often considered the most important of our five senses, so it’s important to see your eye doctor on a regular basis and get a new eyeglass prescription before your vision problems get worse.
In addition to keeping your vision sharp, when you get new glasses, you can choose new frames and give yourself a whole new look.
