The importance of an eye test cannot be overstated. Being examined by an optician could make life easier and of course clearer. However, below are common signs that show you might need glasses:
1. Unexplained headaches (or frequent headaches)
Do you ever get headaches after reading or looking at the computer for long? Does your head hurt after watching TV or driving?
If your head hurts after staring at a board or screen, it is possible that you will need to book an appointment with the optician to conduct a proper eye exam.
2. Blurred vision
Blurred vision is another sign that you need glasses; you can test yourself by regularly looking at something you see every day, such as the spine of a book or a number plate, to check if you can still read it without squinting your eyes. Try to test one eye at a time for a more accurate rate. If you are not sure of the result, visit an eye care center.
On top of this, if you are finding it difficult to adjust from light surrounding to a dark surrounding or the other way round, it is possible your eyesight is failing. When you see halos around light sources, or they seem blurry, you need to visit an eye care center as soon as possible.
3. Wavy vision
When you look at straight lines such as door or windows frames and see them as wavy or kinked, there is a chance you are experiencing age-related macular degeneration, a common reason for needing glasses.
Again, test yourself one eye at a time to double check. If you notice that you are squinting while focusing on far away sign board or reading something, it is possible that your eyesight is getting weaker.
4. Tired eyes and difficulty focusing
We all experience tired eyes as a symptom of everyday fatigue, but when it is a persistent problem that occurs after everyday activities like driving and reading, it is advisable to get your eyes tested by an optician.
If you are having a constant problem while looking at a distance or not able to see sharply, you need to get your eyes checked for distance vision (see our Nearsightedness vs Farsightedness post). Can you clearly read from a 30 cm distance screen? If the answer is NO, then, you probably need to get your sight perfected through glasses for Long Sightedness (see our Nearsightedness vs Farsightedness post).
5. Painful or red eye
Healthy eyes should not hurt or appear red; if they do, there is a chance you have an eye condition that needs the attention of a highly trained optician.
With headaches, you may also experience other signs such as red, watery or itchy eyes as well as excessive blinking. Don’t wait get it checked out!
6. Misty vision
Misty vision is another common vision-related ailment that you should not take lightly. These symptoms could be an early sign of cataracts, glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration, which optician can help you with alongside the general long-sighted or short-sighted examinations.
7. Diplopia or double vision (or increased difficulty while seeing at night)
If you tend to see double or triple reflections of a single object, lines be it light or some object or something written far away, then you are suffering from diplopia and may need glasses.
