It’s not always obvious when you need glasses. Vision changes can be misleading—they rarely suddenly appear one day as blurry vision, difficulty reading fine print or street signs, or difficulty with night vision.
If you never had to use glasses as a kid, you may believe that you don’t need them as an adult. This isn’t always true. There are a few indicators that you may need to get glasses—some more obvious than others.
If you’re experiencing any of the signs discussed below, make an appointment with an eye care professional who can perform a thorough eye exam for you. Even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms, visiting your optometrist regularly is an important part of maintaining healthy vision.
Signs You May Need Glasses
Knowing some of the signs that you need glasses can help you decide when it’s time to see your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. Among the most common signs are:
- Squinting
- Objects having “auras” or “halos” around them in bright light
- Eyestrain, or eyes that feel tired or irritated
- Watery eyes
- Trouble seeing and driving at night
- Blurred vision
- Rubbing your eyes
- Double vision
- Headaches
Squinting
You may need glasses if you find yourself squinting at the computer screen in an attempt to bring words into focus. When you try to focus on something that is out of focus, your eyes naturally squint, which reduces the amount of light entering your eyes. Frequent squinting indicates that your eyes are having difficulty focusing. This could be due to either eye strain or an underlying vision problem such as presbyopia, binocular vision dysfunction, or accommodative disorders.
Halos Around Bright Lights
Do you see halo effects around lights? If you notice bright halos of light around light bulbs, car headlights, street lamps, or other light sources, it is most likely a sign of a vision problem. Causes may include:
- Cataracts
- Presbyopia
- Astigmatism
- Nearsightedness
- Farsightedness
Eye Strain
Long-distance driving or excessive computer use are common causes of eye strain. It could also be a sign that your eyes are having difficulty focusing. If you notice your eyes straining often or in situations where you previously had no issues, you may need glasses.
Watery Eyes
Watery eyes may indicate that you have vision problems. Watery eyes can also be caused by allergies, dry eyes, or even a thyroid condition. Make an appointment with your optometrist if your eyes are excessively watering.
Trouble Seeing & Driving at Night
If going from your bedroom to the bathroom in the middle of the night or discerning your surroundings while driving at night seems more difficult than usual, you may be suffering from night blindness. Because night blindness can worsen over time, it’s best to see an optometrist as soon as possible.
Blurred Vision
Blurred vision can appear in a variety of ways. You may have difficulty reading, recognizing faces, or finding that you’re holding your phone at a specific distance to see clearly. All of these symptoms could indicate nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia.
Rubbing Your Eyes
Many vision problems can cause you to rub your eyes more often. While rubbing your eyes could be an indication of an infection or a piece of debris, it could also be the result of eye strain or fatigue, which may require glasses.
Double Vision
Double vision is a serious symptom that can indicate a medical emergency. Never dismiss it! If you are seeing double, make an appointment with your doctor right away. Because your eyes are a fairly complex organ, there are numerous possible causes for double vision.
Several components contribute to deciphering what you see into a clear, coherent picture. If even one of them fails, it can cause distorted vision, such as seeing double.
Headaches
Headaches don’t always indicate that you need glasses. However, frequent headaches, particularly during the day or after staring at screens, may indicate vision problems that can be treated with corrective lenses.
Think You Might Need Glasses? See Your Optometrist!
If you notice any of these signs that you need glasses, don’t ignore them. While the causes differ from person to person, it’s better to be proactive when it comes to your eye health.
The best way to answer the question, “Do I need glasses?” is to consult with an optometrist. They can perform a full eye exam to see your eye’s health. These are non-invasive exams that involve simple tests to identify and rule out a variety of common vision problems.If you think you might need glasses, book an exam with the team at Old South Optometry. Our experienced team can help diagnose any vision problems, and help you pick out the perfect set of frames if you need glasses
