According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, over 150 million people in the U.S. use corrective eyewear. However, many people do not realize they need them. It would help to understand that your eyes can change over time—it is not necessarily a given that you will have perfect eyesight later on. 

It is a good idea to undergo regular comprehensive eye exams. Also, recognizing signs that you may need corrective eyewear can help determine when to schedule an exam with your eye doctor. Here are some of the common symptoms to watch out for:

You Cannot See Up Close

If you have difficulty seeing objects up close, you may need corrective eyewear to improve your vision. This condition, known as presbyopia, is a normal aging process. It occurs when the eye's lens becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects. Presbyopia can cause a range of symptoms, including the following:

• Blurry vision when reading or working on a computer

• Difficulty seeing small print

• Headaches or eyestrain when reading or doing close work

• Having to hold reading materials farther away to see them more clearly

You Struggle to See Distant Objects

Do you have difficulty seeing distant objects? You may need glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision. This condition, known as hyperopia or farsightedness, occurs when the eye is too short or the cornea is too flat. That causes light to focus behind the retina instead of on it. 

Consequently, distant objects may appear blurry. Hyperopia can cause various symptoms, including blurry vision when looking at distant objects, eyestrain, or headaches. It can also lead to difficulty seeing things in low light and squinting to see distant objects more clearly. 

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see an eye doctor to determine if you need corrective eyewear. The eye doctor will also check for any underlying conditions causing these symptoms. 

If You Have Trouble Seeing at Night

If you have difficulty seeing at night or see halos around lights, you may need glasses to correct your vision. Night blindness or nyctalopia can stem from various factors, including cataracts, vitamin A deficiency, and certain medications. It can cause difficulty seeing in low light or at night, seeing halos or glare around lights, squinting to see objects in low light, and difficulty adjusting to changes in light. 

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is a good idea to see an eye doctor to determine whether you need glasses. Wearing glasses can help improve your vision at night and reduce glare and halos around lights. 

You Have Cloudy Vision

You may need glasses to correct your vision if you have cloudy vision or if things appear hazy or blurry. Various factors can cause cloudy vision, including cataracts, dry eye syndrome, and certain medications. 

Cloudy vision can cause a range of symptoms, including blurry or hazy vision, double vision, difficulty seeing in bright light or glare, and seeing halos or glare around lights. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see an eye doctor to determine whether you need glasses. 

Conclusion

If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, you should see an eye doctor to determine if you need glasses or contact lenses. The eye doctor will also check for any underlying eye conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Wearing glasses or contact lenses can help improve your vision and reduce eyestrain and headaches.

For more eye care tips, visit Inclima Eye Care at our West Haven, Connecticut office. Call (203) 694-0418 to schedule an appointment today.