Recognizing the Signs that It’s Time for Glasses: Don’t Ignore These Warning Signals

One of the earliest and most common signs that you might need glasses is frequent headaches. These headaches are often caused by straining your eyes to see clearly, particularly when reading or using digital devices. The strain on your eye muscles can lead to tension headaches, usually felt around the forehead and temples.

If you notice that objects both near and far appear blurry, it might be a sign of refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism. Blurred vision can occur gradually, so it’s essential to pay attention to any changes in your ability to see details clearly.

Squinting is a natural response to try to improve focus and clarity. If you find yourself squinting often, especially when reading or looking at distant objects, it’s a strong indication that your vision needs correction. Squinting can temporarily improve focus but also causes strain on your eye muscles, leading to discomfort and headaches.

Experiencing tired eyes after reading, using a computer, or watching TV can indicate that your eyes are working too hard to focus. Eye strain is often accompanied by discomfort, a burning sensation, or even dryness. If rest and reduced screen time don’t alleviate these symptoms, it might be time for an eye exam.

Night vision issues can be a sign of several vision problems, including myopia or cataracts. If you find it challenging to see while driving at night or notice increased glare from headlights, it’s a warning sign that your vision needs attention.

Double vision, or seeing two images of a single object, can be disorienting and is often a sign of a serious vision problem. It can result from issues with the eye muscles, cornea, or lens, and warrants immediate attention from an eye care professional.

Seeing halos or bright circles around lights, especially at night, can indicate several eye conditions, including astigmatism, cataracts, or glaucoma. This symptom should not be ignored as it can interfere with daily activities and signal the need for corrective lenses.

If you find yourself needing to hold books, phones, or other objects closer or farther away to see them clearly, it’s a sign that your near or distance vision may be deteriorating. This adjustment is often unconscious but indicates that your eyes are struggling to focus.

Frequent eye rubbing can be a response to eye strain, fatigue, or discomfort. While it’s a common habit, especially in children, persistent eye rubbing can indicate underlying vision problems that need correction.

Struggling to read small print or needing brighter light to see clearly can indicate presbyopia, a common age-related vision condition. This condition usually starts to affect people in their 40s and requires reading glasses or other corrective measures.