There are a number of clues that can highlight whether your vision is changing, including frequent squinting and blurriness when trying to see. If you’re having issues that you’ve never experienced before, it’s important to speak with an eye doctor, even if you don’t think it’s serious. If you’re unsure of what changes to look out for, here are 5 warning signs that you might need glasses.

Blurry or Double Vision

Are you seeing double or do things appear blurry when you’re reading at a normal distance? If you used to have 20/20 vision and now your vision is distorted, it’s a sign that you might be developing nearsightedness or farsightedness. Blurry vision is also commonly associated with presbyopia, an age-related loss of focusing ability that often happens after 40. 

Difficulty Seeing at Night

If it’s taking your eyes longer to adjust to the dark or if driving at night has suddenly become a concern, you should have your eyes examined. There are several things that can cause night blindness including cataracts, diabetes or even vitamin deficiencies. If the issue is related to your vision, corrective lenses can improve your condition during both the day and the night. 

Halos or Auras

Are you seeing halos or auras around light sources? This is a common sign that you may need glasses. But these symptoms can also be associated with cataracts, presbyopia, ocular migraines and a side effect of LASIK surgery. Regardless, it’s important to talk to an eye professional to expose the underlying causes. 

Frequent Squinting

One of the most common symptoms that your vision is changing is squinting. This temporary fix is one way to improve your focus, but it can also be a sign of poor vision. If you find yourself squinting more frequently, it might be a sign that you need glasses.

Eye Strain

If you constantly feel like your eyes are working too hard you may be experiencing eye strain. Your eyes can start to feel run down after focusing on a certain activity such as reading, browsing the web, or driving for a long period of time. When this happens, you may experience unwanted side effects such as headaches, blurry vision, dry eyes or pain in the neck and shoulders. In order to reduce eye strain, it is a good idea to book an eye exam with your optometrist to identify the issue and appropriate treatment. There are many ways to cope with eye strain, and one is to make sure you are wearing the appropriate eyewear. 

Constant Headaches

Frequent eye strain can lead to painful headaches. If you are experiencing constant headaches, especially after working at the computer or reading a book, your vision could be to blame. But headaches can also indicate an underlying health condition, so it’s important that you should see an eye doctor if the headaches continue. 

Ultimately, the only way to know for sure whether you need glasses is to have a comprehensive exam by an eye doctor. Book your vision test today at Laurier Optical and one of our optometrists will inspect your eyes and help you determine the best solution for your eyes and vision needs.