As you go throughout your life, your eyesight will continue to change, sometimes subtly, sometimes noticeably. Whether you wear glasses or contact lenses, it’s important to stay up to date with your prescription in order to maintain clear vision and prevent unnecessary eye strain. But how do you know when it’s time to schedule an exam? Here are some common signs that your prescription may need to be updated.

1. Blurry Vision

One of the most common signs of an outdated prescription is blurry vision. If objects appear fuzzy or out of focus, especially when wearing your current glasses or contacts, or if you feel like you’re squinting more than usual to read road signs or your phone, you likely need to update your prescription. 

2. Frequent Headaches

When your eyes have to work overtime to compensate for outdated lenses, you may have frequent tension headaches, particularly after prolonged periods of close-up work or reading. These headaches will usually occur around your temples or behind your eyes. 

You may also feel nauseous or dizzy from wearing glasses or contacts with the wrong prescription. 

3. Eye Strain or Fatigue

If your eyes feel tired after only a short period of reading or screen time or if you notice burning, aching, or tearing, you may need to get a stronger or adjusted prescription. This is a sign your eye muscles are working overtime. 

4. Trouble Seeing at Night

Difficulty seeing or experiencing glare in low light or while driving at night can signal changes in your vision that your current prescription doesn’t address.

5. Double Vision or Seeing Halos

Seeing double or noticing halos around lights, especially at night, could mean your lenses are no longer properly correcting your vision. You may need glasses with special prism lenses to correct the misalignment of your eyes. 

6. Your Glasses or Contacts Feel “Off”

If your eyewear suddenly feels uncomfortable, or if things just don’t look as crisp as they used to, your prescription may have changed.

7. You’re Squinting or Holding Things Close

If you catch yourself holding books or your phone at unusual angles or distances just to see clearly, you should schedule an eye checkup. If you find yourself only squinting in bright environments, you may want to invest in a good pair of prescription sunglasses. 

8. It’s Been Over a Year Since Your Last Eye Exam

Even if you feel fine and can see well when wearing your glasses or contacts, your vision can change gradually without obvious symptoms. Annual eye exams help catch issues early and keep your prescription accurate. 

Other Reasons to Get New Glasses

Even if you don’t need a new prescription, you may want to get new glasses if:

Your Glasses are Scratched or Difficult to Clean — If your glasses always look dirty no matter how much you clean them, the lenses may be damaged or covered in tiny scratches. This can cause a cloudiness that is difficult to clean and see through. Replacing your lenses can give you back clear vision. 

The Frames are Bent — Bent frames not only make your glasses feel uncomfortable and look off while on but they can also distort your vision because of the incorrect angle. You can try to adjust them, but if they still seem off, you may want to invest in a new pair of glasses. 

You’re in a New Career — If you change careers, you may want to invest in new glasses. If you will be working at a computer, you could benefit from a blue-light blocking coating, or if you will be working in a physical job, such as construction, you may want scratch-resistant lenses. 

You Want an Upgrade — Glasses and contact technology continues to evolve, and you may want to take advantage of new contact materials or lens coatings. Silicone hydrogel contacts allow more oxygen to reach the eye while anti-reflective glasses coating cuts down on glare. 

You Want a New Style — Not fond of your current glasses? It may be time to invest in a new style that will help you feel more like yourself. You wear your glasses every day; it’s important to feel good in them. 

Protect Your Eyes — Stay Up to Date with Your Prescription 

Keeping your prescription up to date not only helps you see better but also protects your overall eye health. If you’re experiencing any blurry vision, headaches, or eye strain, or if you haven’t been to the eye doctor in years, take the time to schedule an appointment. Remember, clear vision and healthy eyes are important.