Good things don’t last forever, and your eyeglasses are not an exception. A time will come when you have to change your favorite eyewear for something trendy or simply because they don’t work as well as prescribed.
Lenses may wear out, scratch, break, or the eyeglass frames may go out of fashion, and you need to upgrade. However, if the need for change is due to medical reasons, there are signs to look for that prompt a new prescription. Here are some of the signs that show it’s time to get a new pair of eyeglasses.
Squinting and sensitivity to light
Just like drugs, prescription eyeglasses also have expiry dates beyond which they lose their stated strength. Out-of-date and weak eyeglasses expose the eyes to the initial problem for which you bought them. If your eyes were straining to focus back then, the problem recurs, and you start squinting to get clear vision despite wearing glasses.
You could also be squinting to shield your eyes from bright lights, whether indoors or outside from the sun. This is a sign of sensitivity to light – a condition that could expose the eye to excess light with UV radiation and damage your retina if not addressed in time. Prescription eyeglasses are expected to protect the amount of light the eye receives to mitigate this sensitivity.
When you experience these symptoms, it’s time for a new prescription. Get a new pair to update your glasses’ lens power for better focus. Light sensitivity is an indication that you need photochromic lenses to regulate light exposure. Visit your doctor for a prescription and get glasses on the same day for squint-less vision.
Headaches and tired eyes
A pair of eyeglasses eventually grows on you and still looks good even when out of date and weak. To finally realize it needs replacement, you start suffering frequent headaches whenever you use them for long. The headaches are from the strain your eyes are going through to focus properly.
Another beacon is tired eyes that are indicative of extreme strain on ocular muscles as you try to focus through expired lenses. Without proper aid, the eyes revert to the previous condition, and you experience the same eye fatigue you had before and possibly even worse. Combined headache and tired eyes can only mean one thing – your eyeglasses need to change.
Visit your doctor for an eye refraction assessment to issue a fresh prescription to get a new pair of eyeglasses. A new and recalibrated pair of glasses will end the headaches and reinvigorate your tired eyes. Monitor the symptoms and respond immediately to prevent vision-related discomfort.
Old and out of fashion
Just like clothes, eyeglasses get old too and run out of fashion. As much as eyeglasses perform a medical function, they are also worn as fashion accessories and move with trends. Your current pair may be projecting a personality not compatible with who you want to be.
The material may not have been top drawer when you bought them at a bargain, and they are now simply old and worn. Maybe you now want bold and black instead of the tortoiseshell classics that were the rave before. Well, the bottom line is that they are old, worn, and out of fashion for today’s needs.
The message is clear – you need a new pair of trendy modern look eyeglasses. It is time to visit the optometrist for a new prescription and to go shopping for funky designs. Since you wear eyeglasses every day, it’s only fair that they enhance your look and personality.
Scratched and hard to clean
Scratches, however minor on eyeglasses, have a great impact on their efficacy. It is not practically possible to keep your eyeglasses scratch-free for over a year of regular use. Small invisible scuffs will happen unobtrusively on your lenses and progressively compromise the quality of refraction.
Surfaces of lenses treated with special coatings for UV protection, blue light filters, dust repellant, or UV protection tend to break down and leave a film hard to clean. When you find your glasses in this state of repair, it’s time to replace them with a new pair. Scratches and worn-out film on lenses affect refraction and lead to poor vision.
Blurry vision
A blurry, fuzzy, distorted vision is a clear demonstration that your eyeglasses have gone past their sell-by date. Either the condition of your eyes has deteriorated further after the last exam and prescription, or the glasses are failing. It is time for that refraction assessment again and shopping for a new pair of glasses.
The eyeglasses are meant to correct your eyesight defects, and if you still cannot see clearly, it is time to review the status. Undertake an annual exam to ensure the lenses are still perfect or get a prescription for new eyeglasses. It is your responsibility to monitor your eyeglasses’ performance and change when necessary.
Alton Clarke was born and raised in Syracuse. He has written for MSNBC, The Business Insider and Passport Magazine. In regards to academics, Alton earned a degree from St. John’s University. Alton covers entertainment and culture stories here at Diving daily.
