How to Know If You Need New Glasses

You've probably heard it a thousand times: your eyes change over time. Even so, old habits die hard, and old frames can feel like old friends. However, if you're experiencing blurred vision, headaches, or even dizziness when wearing your current glasses, something is likely amiss. Your prescription may be outdated, leading to unnecessary strain on your eyes. Don't dismiss these discomforts; they could be a sign that your eyeglass prescription has expired. Regular eye check-ups are crucial for maintaining optimal vision and ensuring you have the right prescription. Remember, your optometrist is your friend.

If you're grappling with reading or seeing up close in your current glasses, it's time to consider the possibility of needing new ones. The aging process can impact our ability to see objects up close, a condition known as presbyopia. Whether it's embracing a snazzy pair of reading glasses or updating your prescription, the choice is yours.

Even though you’ve been wearing your glasses, you’re finding yourself asking the barista to translate the menu behind them, and nosebleed seats are out of the question. Although many nearsighted people find that their distance prescription stabilizes as they age, it’s perfectly normal to find you need to kick it up a notch from time to time. Enlist your eye doctor to help with this, and to assuage any concerns you may have.

If your parents or siblings wear glasses, there's a good chance you might need them too. That’s right: your prescription is coded right into your DNA. Understanding your genetic predisposition can prompt timely eye check-ups and ensure you're proactive about your eye health.

• Pros: Reading glasses are especially convenient for specific up-close activities like reading or computer use. Also, you don’t need a prescription to get them, and they come in a wide range of strengths, making them immediately accessible to those who need them.

• Cons: While readers excel at clarifying up-close tasks, they aren’t the ideal choice for activities requiring a more expansive field of vision. In addition, if you have other vision problems such as astigmatism, grab-and-go glasses may not be your best bet.

• Pros: Going the whole nine and getting your precise prescription from your eye care professional is generally recommended. That way, you’ll ensure your new pair is tailored to your specific vision needs, whether that be correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.

• Cons: You’ll need to continue to ensure your prescription is up-to-date, but you’re likely doing that already (we hope). In addition, prescription glasses are likely to cost you more, particularly if you’re using them to address a complex vision issue like astigmatism or a uniquely high prescription. You see what you pay for, as they say.