Wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses allows you to see clearly despite vision problems like nearsightedness or farsightedness. With the right prescription, a pair of these can give you years of near-perfect vision. However, you must keep in mind that your eyes change as you age, which means getting a new prescription is imperative.
But how can you tell if you need to update your eyeglasses or contacts? Here are some of the signs:
Blurry Vision
Blurry vision is an indication of a significant change in your eyes. Since vision changes are not always consistent, you may not notice them at first. Your eyes may also have different prescriptions over time. For instance, your right eye may have a consistent prescription over the years while your left eye may have changed. If you have blurry vision, it’s time to update your eye prescription. For best results, schedule an eye exam with your eye doctor once a year. They will run tests to ensure your new prescription matches the changes in your eyes.
Headaches
Headaches are also a warning sign that you’re due for a new eye prescription. Your brain knows your eyes are changing and tries to compensate for the change in your vision. You may often feel pain if your brain starts to work in overdrive. Over time, your brain will get worked out, and you will frequently have headaches – a reminder that your current prescription isn’t compensating for your vision anymore. While resting your eyes or taking a pain reliever can give you relief, the pain and fatigue will likely return if you don’t update your prescription. If you have frequent headaches, it’s probably time to visit your doctor.
Eye Fatigue
Eye fatigue can be a symptom of many things, from allergies to a lack of sleep. However, the most common cause of eye fatigue is technology. Ongoing use of phones and other devices can cause your eyes to become fatigued and dry. To give your eyes relief, take a break from staring at the screen. If your eye fatigue doesn’t wear off in a few days, however, this can be a sign of poor changing vision. You need to visit your eye doctor as soon as possible to determine if you need a new prescription.
Old Glasses
Like the rest of your body, your eyes age. For this reason, an annual eye exam is a great way to check the health of your eyes and ensure your eye prescription is up to date. Since your eyes are constantly adjusting and changing, it’s unlikely that your vision has stayed consistent for more than two years. If your glasses are more than a year old, it’s time to update your eye prescription. Keep in mind that outdated prescriptions put more strain on your eyes, causing headaches and fatigue.
When it comes to updating your prescription, you can count on Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry. If you live in Arlington, VA, give us a call at (703) 413-1400 or (703) 522-7676, or fill out our online form to set an appointment.