As we age, our eyesight can get worse. Although lenses can compensate for these changes, many people worry that wearing glasses will make their eyes become dependent on visual correction. In other words, they think if you wear specs, your sight will deteriorate even more.
Thankfully, this is not how our peepers actually work.
“Wearing glasses will not make your eyes worse,” says Michael J. Duerr, an optometrist in Rochester Hills, Michigan. “Your actual prescription is based on the anatomy of the eye: the front curve of the cornea, the refractive power of the intraocular lens, and the length of the eyeball.” And peering through spectacles won’t change that anatomy, Duerr says. “Wearing glasses or soft contact lenses will not change what your required prescription is.”
But when you take off your glasses, the world seems blurrier than you remember. Does this indicate that you “need” your glasses more now than you did before you got them? Not necessarily. That change probably just means you’re getting used to seeing things clearly, according to the American Academy of Opthamology. Now that you know what the world is supposed to look like, it’s hard to go back—even if you thought your vision was fine before.
It’s true that you may find yourself needing stronger and stronger prescriptions as the years go on, but again: This isn’t a result of wearing glasses. Our vision deteriorates as we get older, and chances are, you’ll need to upgrade your prescription from time to time.
That brings us to another interesting worry: Some people fear that wearing an incorrect or outdated prescription can cause their eyesight to get worse. This is also a myth, at least in the case of adults—two studies found that incorrect prescriptions did slightly increase the progression of myopia, or nearsightedness, in children.
In addition, the special glasses given to children with crossed eyes or a lazy eye can actually change them—but in a good way. These aids help straighten the eye. The real harm comes from not using them, according to the Opthamology Department at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin: “Not wearing such glasses may lead to permanently defective vision.”
But don’t fear wearing glasses: There’s no evidence that the correct prescription will worsen eyesight in children or adults. As long as you stick with your annual or bi-annual checkups, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Wear your specs whenever you need them, and enjoy the privilege of seeing clearly.
FAQs
Some people mistakenly believe that wearing glasses weakens our eyesight. While glasses correct vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, they do not cause our eyesight to deteriorate.. The misunderstanding may be due to mixing up cause and effect.
Will my eyesight get better if I wear my glasses less? ›
Whether or not you choose to wear your reading glasses will make no difference to your eyesight in the long run (although if you have to strain your eyes to read, you might get headaches or find that your eyes feel sore).
Is it better to wear glasses or not? ›
Myth: It's best not to wear glasses or contact lenses all the time. Taking a break from them allows your eyes to rest. Fact: If you need glasses or contacts for distance or reading, use them. Not wearing your glasses will strain your eyes and tire them out instead of resting them.
Why you shouldn't wear glasses all the time? ›
There are some myths surrounding this issue, as some people believe wearing glasses all the time will actually damage your eyes, making them worse when you take the glasses off. This is only a myth however, as glasses will not make your vision worse nor will it make your eyes dependent on the corrective lenses.
Can my poor eyesight improve? ›
Unfortunately, eyesight cannot be improved naturally and there is no way to change a refractive error, such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia. These types of visual conditions can be treated with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.
Why can I suddenly see better without my glasses? ›
If you have poor eyesight, a sudden improvement could be a warning sign of diabetes, the UK's Daily Express reports. High blood sugar causes fluid levels in the eyes to change, and these fluctuations can impact eyesight. So if your eyesight suddenly seems to be getting better, you should consult a doctor.
Does vision ever improve? ›
The truth is that many types of vision loss are permanent. Once the eye has been damaged, then treatment options are limited to restore vision. But some types of vision loss could be improved naturally, and you can also take a proactive approach in protecting your eyes to prevent vision loss in the future.
What makes your eyesight worse? ›
Too Much Screen Time. From computers and smartphones to TVs and tablets, people spend a huge amount of time these days staring at screens. Excessive screen time can cause dry eye, as well as eye strain, which can lead to a decrease in vision clarity.
Can I get my eyesight back to normal? ›
We can't correct our vision without professional help, and there's no quick-and-easy fix for eyesight problems. But with tools such as good nutrition and diet, you can still help your eyesight naturally and on your own. As always, please discuss with your eye doctor.
How can I protect my eyesight from getting worse? ›
Tips to Prevent Vision Loss
- Your eyes are an important part of your health. ...
- Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam. ...
- Maintain your blood sugar levels. ...
- Know your family's eye health history. ...
- Eat right to protect your sight. ...
- Maintain a healthy weight. ...
- Wear protective eyewear. ...
- Quit smoking or never start.
Wearing reading glasses all the time won't harm your eyes' health, but you may get a headache from wearing them while driving, playing sports, or other activities that involve a wider scope of vision. It's important to get the right glasses for your particular circ*mstances.
What are the disadvantages of having glasses? ›
Disadvantages
- Since glasses sit about 12mm from your eyes they can distort your peripheral vision. ...
- Eyeglasses are affected by the elements more than contact lenses are. ...
- Some individuals feel that they do not look good in glasses, or that they detract from or obstruct their facial features.
Unfortunately, wearing glasses comes with a slight adjustment period. Most people will experience headaches and sore or tired eyes during the first few days. However, as your eye muscles get used to relaxing instead of working so hard to make sense of what you are seeing, the headaches and soreness will disappear.
Can eyesight suddenly get worse? ›
If you have noticed that your eyesight has suddenly deteriorated without reason, it is important that you seek professional advice from your GP or optician. A sudden worsening in your eyesight is often the result of a serious underlying health condition that may need to be treated quickly.
Can your eyesight get worse then better? ›
Unless you make some sort of surgical change, your eyes are going to get worse with time, not better. The good news is, your eyesight getting worse is normal, and the bad news is, you can't necessarily stop it.
Can you stop your eyesight from getting worse? ›
Give your eyes a rest.
Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This short exercise can help reduce eyestrain.
How long does it take for eyesight to get worse? ›
Aging & Myopia
Changes in prescription often slow down about the age of 20, when our eyes begin to stop growing. Many people will not experience an increasing degree of myopia as they exit their 20s, but diagnosis as a child will usually remain with someone their whole life.
What age did your eyesight stop getting worse? ›
Around age 60, these changes in near vision should stop, and prescription changes should occur less frequently. Presbyopia can't be prevented or cured, but most people should be able to regain clear, comfortable near vision for all of their lifestyle needs.
Do phones damage your eyes? ›
Blue Light from Phone Screens
You might be more familiar with UV rays and their damaging effects. Although blue light waves aren't as powerful as UV waves, there are still many potential risks. Prolonged exposure to blue light harms vision and eye health by damaging the retina.
Can vision randomly get better? ›
If you have poor eyesight, a sudden improvement could be a warning sign of diabetes, the UK's Daily Express reports. High blood sugar causes fluid levels in the eyes to change, and these fluctuations can impact eyesight. So if your eyesight suddenly seems to be getting better, you should consult a doctor.
