A frequent concern many of our patients have is: “Will my eyes get lazy if I wear glasses?” It is not uncommon for first-time glasses wearers to feel like their natural vision gets worse without the lenses, leading to a widespread myth that wearing glasses makes eyes worse over time. Luckily, the truth is more nuanced and much more reassuring.

Where the Myth Comes From

The misconception that glasses make your eyes worse is likely linked to the increased awareness of uncorrected vision. Once you discover the clarity that glasses provide, taking them off can make your eyesight feel much blurrier than before. This doesn’t mean your eyes have deteriorated or your vision has changed in any way. It simply highlights the difference between corrected and uncorrected vision.

How Glasses Work

Eyeglasses work to correct refractive errors in vision, such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism. The lenses help to focus light properly onto your retina, thus allowing you to see more clearly.

Importantly, glasses do not harm your eye health, weaken your eye muscles, or reduce your natural vision. They don’t alter your eyes physically in any way. Instead, glasses provide the tools for your eyes to function properly.

Vision Changes Are Natural

It is common for eyesight to change over time due to age, screen use, or genetics. Whether you wear glasses or not, these changes can happen to anyone and have nothing to do with wearing glasses. Instead, glasses can help to adapt to such changes, with a new prescription correcting the vision more effectively.

Not Wearing Glasses Can Be Harmful

While glasses do not physically affect your eyes in any way, not wearing them can lead to discomfort. Uncorrected vision problems frequently cause eye strain, fatigue, and tension headaches, not to mention the general discomfort of not being able to see clearly. In children, not wearing glasses when prescribed can even lead to developmental issues, such as lazy eye (amblyopia).

When Glasses Need Updating

If your vision seems worse than before, your prescription has likely changed due to natural reasons, not because of your glasses. Regular eye exams are key to keeping prescriptions up-to-date and ensuring that you can see as clearly as possible.

Final Word

Wearing glasses won’t make your eyes worse, it will actually help you see your best. Stay on top of your eye health with regular checkups at Laurier Optical and remember: trust your optometrist, not the myths.