Could you have the wrong glasses prescription?

Blurry vision? Fuzzy head? Tired eyes?

You probably put these common symptoms down to a tough week at work. But could you actually be wearing the wrong glasses prescription?

It’s probably time to check!

Your eyes can change at various points of your life and for lots of different reasons. Each time they change, your vision can alter too.

• The cells on the surface of your eye are constantly regrowing which can change the shape of your eye over time.
• Regular close work as part of your job or hobbies can affect your vision over time
• Before the age of 15 your eyes are constantly growing, causing your eyesight to adjust in a short-sighted direction.
• Over the age of 40 your eyes begin to shrink, causing movement towards long-sightedness.
• Medical conditions such as diabetes can result in a rapidly changing prescription.

How can you tell if you’re wearing the wrong glasses prescription?

Wearing the wrong prescription can cause a number of issues, not only related to your vision.

Suffering from persistent headaches or migraines, feeling your eyes are tired, aching or itching and even struggling with concentration can all suggest you may need to get your eyes checked. You may also experience dizziness, vertigo or feel nauseous.

If you find your vision is blurred or you keep seeing double, these are clear signs that your prescription may no longer be right for you.

How often do you need new glasses?

For some people, a glasses prescription can stay stable for up to 20 years, while for others it may change over as little as 6 months.

During childhood and our teenage years the body is growing rapidly, so your prescription can change more frequently. Eye conditions such as cataracts and general health issues including diabetes can also cause more rapid changes to your prescription. In all these cases, your Optometrist will let you know how often you need an eye check to keep your vision sharp and comfortable.

On average, you can expect your prescription to need updating every 2-3 years, which is why we recommend that you visit us for a check every 2 years as a minimum.

Can wearing the wrong glasses make your eyesight worse?

Wearing a prescription that’s not right for you will not cause any damage to your eyes.

However, you’re likely to experience unpleasant symptoms which will worsen over time. Coping with blurry vision can also have a negative impact on your quality of life.

Is it time to get your prescription checked?

Book an appointment today to visit one of our experienced Optometrists who will make sure your glasses are just right for you.