Your eyesight plays a crucial role in your everyday life, from reading and working to driving and socialising. However, vision changes can happen gradually, making it easy to overlook the signs that you need a new prescription for your glasses or contact lenses. Ignoring these signs can lead to discomfort, headaches, and even long-term strain on your eyes.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key indicators that suggest it’s time to visit your optometrist for an updated prescription.

1. Blurry Vision

One of the most obvious signs that you may need a new prescription is blurred vision. If you find yourself struggling to read road signs, menus, or text on your phone – even while wearing your glasses or contact lenses – your prescription may no longer be suitable for your needs.

Blurriness can occur for both short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hyperopia) and may also indicate changes in astigmatism. If left uncorrected, blurred vision can lead to eye strain and discomfort.

2. Frequent Headaches

Are you experiencing more headaches than usual, especially after long periods of reading, working on a screen, or driving? This could be a sign that your eyes are overcompensating for an outdated prescription. When your eyes work too hard to focus, it puts strain on the muscles around them, leading to headaches.

If you notice recurring headaches, particularly around your forehead or temples, it may be time for an eye test to check if you need a new prescription.

3. Eye Strain and Fatigue

Eye strain and fatigue are becoming increasingly common, especially with prolonged screen use. However, if you notice your eyes feeling particularly tired or irritated – even after a good night’s rest – your vision correction may no longer be effective.

Signs of eye strain include:

  • Dry or watery eyes
  • A burning sensation
  • Difficulty keeping your eyes open
  • Feeling the need to rub your eyes frequently

Updating your new prescription can help reduce these symptoms and improve overall eye comfort.

4. Squinting to See Clearly

If you find yourself squinting more often to see objects clearly, this is a strong indication that your current glasses or contact lenses are not providing enough visual support. Squinting is your body’s way of trying to improve focus temporarily by reducing the amount of light entering your eyes.

However, constantly squinting can lead to eye fatigue and may even cause wrinkles around the eyes over time. If you catch yourself doing this frequently, it’s time for an eye exam.

5. Difficulty Seeing at Night

Struggling to see in low-light conditions or experiencing increased glare from headlights while driving at night could indicate that you need a new prescription. Night vision problems are often linked to worsening refractive errors, cataracts, or other eye health issues.

If you feel less confident driving at night or notice halos around lights, book an eye test to determine whether your prescription needs updating.

6. Double Vision or Ghosting

Double vision (seeing two overlapping images) or ghosting (faint secondary images) can be alarming and may be a sign of an outdated prescription, astigmatism, or other vision problems.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s essential to see an optometrist as soon as possible to rule out serious conditions and ensure your prescription is correct.

7. Holding Objects Too Close or Far Away

Do you find yourself holding books, your phone, or menus at an unusual distance to read clearly? If you’re moving objects further away or bringing them closer to focus, it could be a sign that your new prescription needs adjusting.

This is especially common in people over 40 who develop presbyopia, a natural age-related condition where near vision becomes more challenging. Varifocal or reading glasses can help correct this issue.

8. Your Current Glasses or Contact Lenses Feel Uncomfortable

If your glasses feel uncomfortable or your contact lenses irritate your eyes, it may not just be a fit issue – it could mean your prescription is outdated. Wearing the wrong prescription can cause dizziness, nausea, and even balance problems in some cases.

How Often Should You Update Your Prescription?

As a general rule, you should have an eye test every two years, or sooner if you notice any of the above symptoms. However, some people, such as those with diabetes, high myopia, or other eye conditions, may need more frequent check-ups.

Regular eye exams not only ensure you have the correct prescription but also help detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Final Thoughts

Your eyesight changes over time, and ignoring the signs that you need a new prescription can lead to discomfort and potential long-term issues. If you’ve noticed blurred vision, headaches, eye strain, or difficulty seeing at night, book an appointment with your optometrist to get your eyes checked.

Updating your prescription can improve your vision, reduce strain, and enhance your overall quality of life.