Having regularly scheduled optometrist appointments is important for maintaining good vision. Your optometrist will monitor your vision, ensure you have up-to-date prescriptions and can detect any potential eye-related issues before they become major problems. If you do not have regularly scheduled checkups with your optometrist it may be challenging at times to interpret whether your visit to an optometrist is warranted or maybe avoiding altogether, as some symptoms tend to be brushed off as not being serious. 

Annual check-ups can save you from a lot of trouble in the future. For those who have not visited an optometrist in a while, or have started noticing some changes in their vision since their last appointment, we asked our optometrists to share some of the most common symptoms for individuals that require glasses. Here is what they shared:

Frequent Squinting

Squinting occurs naturally when you are trying to clear a blurred image. This reduces any extra light from entering your eye and is a clear indication that you are in need of an eye exam and perhaps corrective lenses. 

Experiencing Eye Fatigue

Eye fatigue can be a temporary symptom, but, if it is persistent you should schedule an appointment with your optometrist sooner than later.  Your eyes can become strained from engaging in regular activities like watching TV or reading, and in most cases, this is an indicator of vision changes or even an undiagnosed health problem.

Recurring headaches

Recurring headaches are a classic symptom of needed glasses as headaches that don’t have a clear cause are an indicator you suffer from vision problems. Many times, these types of headaches are triggered by frequently squinting, which we do to help us see clearer.

Blurry Vision

Another common sign that you require glasses is blurred vision. An optometrist will tell you that nearsightedness and farsightedness both can cause blurry vision. If you are constantly trying to shake off blurry vision, you should look into booking an eye exam in the near future.

Reduced Vision at Night

Difficulty with night vision is another symptom of reduced vision. Glasses may not only help with improving your night vision but will assist with other daily activates. Difficulty seeing at night can also be a sign of cataracts or vitamin deficiencies.

Sitting Too Close Screens

If you find yourself always moving closer to the TV, or leaning into your computer monitor, you might be compensating for not being able to see clearly from farther away. This might be a symptom of nearsightedness, and you should schedule a visit to your optometrist for a checkup.

If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms or perhaps a combination of the above symptoms, do yourself a favour and schedule an appointment with your optometrist. If in fact, you do require glasses, you will be happy you went, as glasses may eliminate your symptoms completely. Besides, waiting for there to be a potential issue before scheduling your next eye exam is not the best way to protecting your vision.