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| Four Signs That You Need New Glasses |
How long has it been since you visited the optometrist?
Dr. Mark T. Dunbar, recognized as one of the best eye clinics in America and director of optometry services at the Basquim Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami, recommends that the evaluation be done annually.
"In some cases, you can do it every two years but ideally it should be annual," Dunbar told BBC Mundo.
Despite the importance of having good vision, many of us take our eye health for granted, either because we think we have good eyesight or, at some point, we need to pick up a pair of glasses. So went to the ophthalmologist and then left things as they were.
"Those of us who have had good vision our whole lives don't appreciate it," says Dunbar. It's not unusual for us to see people in their 40s or 50s who have never had an eye exam."
According to experts, due to the complexity of an organ like the human eye, it is easy for us not to notice some changes, such as slight changes in the quality of vision between the two eyes or general deterioration of vision.
"If you don't update your prescription, you basically can't see well," he said, referring to patients who wear glasses.
Dunbar details some signs that indicate it's time to visit an optometrist, either for the first time or to update your eyeglass prescription.
Difficulty seeing while driving
According to Dr. Dunbar, 'When all of a sudden you're trying to read a traffic sign and you can't see it until you're right on top of it, that's usually a warning sign. '
Like a camera, your eyes need to focus light on the retina to see clearly.
When you have a vision problem, light is focused in front of the retina, which can blur distant objects, such as road signs.
Driving in this condition can be difficult, especially at night.
What lenses do for your eyes is not only improve the entry of light but also distribute it correctly across the surface of the eye.
Plus, new anti-reflective lens technology helps dim light glare so you can see more clearly.
Difficulty seeing up close
If you find it very difficult to read books or read your phone screen, even with your glasses on, this is a sign that you need a new prescription.
Presbyopia, or nearsightedness, occurs as we age and the lenses in our eyes lose elasticity, making it difficult to focus on near objects.
Dr. Dunbar explains that eye health may be fine, but the problem lies in the refraction of light. When it is not adequately focused on the retina, the image may appear blurry.
Glasses correct the refraction problem and prevent the eye from overstraining when trying to read.
Fluctuating vision during the day
If you notice that your vision fluctuates throughout the day, this could be another sign that you need to replace your lenses.
Dr. Dunbar explains that a major cause of this is eye strain due to eye muscle fatigue.
If you focus on one point for too long, such as when you're working on a screen, your eyes may tire and your ability to focus may decrease.
'When you're doing something that you're really concentrating on, like working on a computer, or watching a movie, or reading a book, our blink rate slows down, maybe normal. By half.'
It can be worse if you're straining your eyes, you're trying to cope with visual loss, your eyes will get scarred from the strain and it'll get worse at the end of the day.
If this is the case with you, it may be time for you to visit an optometrist.
Changes in vision in one or both eyes
A sudden change in vision in one or both eyes can be a sign that something more serious is going on.
According to Dr. Dunbar, "If you can't see clearly, it can be as simple as changing your glasses, but it can be something more important."
For example, short-term vision loss can be a symptom of cataracts, which, as Dr. Dunbar explains, can cause difficulty seeing clearly, difficulty driving at night, and difficulty concentrating.
"With the technology we have today, cataract surgery is convenient and takes 15 minutes," says the expert.
In more serious cases, eye health can also help identify more serious problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which can cause changes in the blood vessels in the eye.
'These are all reasons to recommend that people get their eyes checked regularly, not just to get the best vision.'