7 Signs You Need a New Corrective Lens Prescription

Many of us take clear vision for granted — until we find ourselves relying on glasses or contacts to see. As your eyes change over time, updating your prescription becomes a must for maintaining sharp, comfortable vision.

Recognizing when it's time for a new prescription helps you stay comfortable, read with ease, and enjoy daily life without visual strain. At Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge, our team of four experienced ophthalmologists provides routine eye exams and other treatments for various vision problems.

Whether you want to upgrade your prescription or consider LASIK eye surgery, we offer various options to suit your specific needs.

How often do my eyes change?

Your vision is something that can change in the blink of an eye, no matter what your age. Some people don't notice any vision changes until age 40, when presbyopia becomes a problem. Others have changes in childhood that require correction with glasses or contacts.

The truth is, your vision can change at any point in life, from early childhood into older adulthood. Vision changes can be gradual, worsening with age and development, or sudden.

Vision changes vary from difficulty focusing on objects at close range to loss of peripheral vision. People may also have increased light sensitivity or blurred vision. Various factors affect how often your eyes change, including:

• Certain eye conditions, such as cataracts
• Health problems like diabetes
• Older age
• Certain medications
• Pregnancy
• Prolonged screen time

It's essential to book an appointment with us as soon as you notice any issues with your vision. The sooner you have an eye exam, the quicker you'll be back to seeing everything as you should. 

After the exam, we can treat your vision to fit your needs.

Seven signs you need a new prescription

The signs and symptoms that indicate you may need a new corrective lens prescription include:

1. Eye fatigue

Eyes that feel tired after normal activities are a sign that your prescription needs to be changed. You may also feel like you're straining to see things that you could have commonly seen without an issue.

2. Blurred vision

Having blurry vision is a significant sign that your prescription isn't accurate. You may notice blurriness when focusing on close-up objects or distant objects or both.

3. Difficulty seeing at night

If you’re not seeing clearly at night, your prescription may be out of date. New lenses can correct issues like difficulty seeing road signs or halos appearing around headlights or street lamps.

4. Squinting

You shouldn't have to squint to see if your corrective lens prescription is up to date. If you have to squint to see signs or read, it's a good indicator you need a new prescription.

5. Headaches or eye strain

Straining your eyes to see things can lead to eye pain and headaches. When you have headaches regularly and your eyes aren’t feeling well, it's a sign you need new glasses or a contact prescription.

6. Increased light sensitivity

Increased sensitivity to light can point to needing a new prescription. If you squint when seeing bright lights, or if your eyes seem very sensitive to even dim light, schedule an eye exam.

7. Holding reading material closer than normal

Many older adults experience trouble reading, which causes them to hold reading material closer than usual. If you find yourself struggling to read your favorite book or the newspaper without holding it close to your face, it's time for an updated prescription.

Contact us at Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge today to schedule an appointment for an eye exam and prescription change. You can also book online by clicking here.