It is estimated that over 164 million adults in the U.S. wear prescription glasses. Surprisingly, though, many people who need prescription glasses do not even realize that they do. These people may simply think that their poor vision is normal. Unclear or strained vision is not normal, though — and there is a solution that can address the problem. Prescription lenses can correct many of the most common vision problems and allow you to see more clearly. Consider the following five signs you might need prescription glasses.

What Can Cause You To Need Glasses?

1. Refractive error. The four most common causes of poor vision — astigmatism, presbyopia, nearsightedness, and farsightedness — are all variations of a problem called refractive error. This type of eye disorder occurs when the eyes are unable to correctly focus on their surroundings. It happens when the shape of a person’s eyes cannot bend light in a way that facilitates adequate vision. Luckily, prescription glasses can easily remedy the problem and ensure full vision.

2. Genetics. If refractive error necessitates glasses, what causes the refractive error? In most cases, the answer is familial. This is to say that genetics are typically at the root of the problem. It is estimated that upwards of 85% of people with hyperopia or myopia inherited it from a parent. Similarly, astigmatism is estimated to have a heritability of over 50%. This means that most people who have vision problems may pass it on to their children, too.

3. Damage from trauma. Although most vision issues can be attributed to genetics, this is not always true. In fact, some people inherit perfect 20/20 vision but later experience deterioration as a result of trauma or damage. One of the most common causes of such damage is exposure to UV rays. If you do not regularly wear the best prescription sunglasses, you will find that you’re vulnerable to damaged vision — even from short-term exposure. You can combat this possibility by investing in sunglasses that filter out UV rays.

Physical Signs You Need Prescription Glasses

4. You cannot see as well as you used to. If you have noticed that you struggle to see objects that are far away — or close up — when you did not previously, this is a surefire sign that you might be in need of glasses with prescription womens lenses. Prescription lenses can rectify vision troubles by correcting the way that light enters your eyes. This is most commonly helpful for the aforementioned conditions such as astigmatism and near- or farsightedness.

5. You have spent a lot of time in the sun, unprotected. If you have sustained long periods of UV exposure without the protection of sunglasses, there is a good chance that your vision has been damaged. Even if you do not immediately realize it, a test will likely reveal that you cannot see quite as clearly as you were able to previously. You should invest in an eye exam and see if you need prescription lenses — and if so, be sure to invest in prescription sunglasses, too.

Andi Perullo de Ledesma

I am Andi Perullo de Ledesma, a Chinese Medicine Doctor and Travel Photojournalist in Charlotte, NC. I am also wife to Lucas and mother to Joaquín. Follow us as we explore life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook