Have you cruised through life with perfect vision, never having to squint, never suffering headaches from your vision, and basically enjoying sight unfettered? While most people start out life with fabulous vision, that isn’t always a constant through life. Over time it’s normal to see changes in your vision that range in minor to more severe.
There are plenty of reasons for the change in vision, some as simple as age. But how do you know when it’s time to get your eyes checked? What are the signs you may need eyeglasses? Let’s take a closer look.
Everyone Should Have Their Eyes Checked – Regardless of Good or Poor Vision
The first thing to keep in mind is that everyone should have their eyes checked by an eye doctor on a regular basis. It doesn’t matter if you have perfect 20/20 vision, you’ve just started noticing small changes, or you’ve worn glasses your whole life. Keep in mind an eye exam determines a whole lot more than just whether or not you need corrective eyeglasses; it can also uncover the early signs of serious eye diseases that need intervention.As for how often you should get an eye exam, it is recommended that people ages 18-60 get an eye exam at least every two years, and those over 60 should get one annually. Kids can also get eye exams, and should be encouraged to.
What are the Most Common Red Flags?
As for the most common signs you need corrective eyewear, there are a few to be aware of:01. You start squinting a lot in order to see better. This is one of the first tell-tale signs that corrective eyewear may be needed. Squinting in the sunshine or here and there is normal, but if you are constantly doing it so that objects don't appear so blurry, there's a good chance you need glasses.
02. You are starting to notice a difference in your night vision and can't see as well. This is another common sign that your eyesight may not be as good as it once was. This of course can be incredibly dangerous if you drive at night, as you may not be able to react to obstacles, vehicles, and people when you can't see as well in the dark.
03. You keep getting headaches on a regular basis when you don't typically get them. This is true even for people who already wear corrective eyeglasses and who perhaps need a change in their prescription. The headaches can be caused by eye strain, which will keep up until you start using corrective lenses.
04. Your eyes feel tired and strained on a regular basis, which is new to you. This ties into the headaches, as your eyes are constantly straining and being over-worked just in order to see and focus better.