Three Things New Prescription Glasses Wearers Wonder About
If you've been recently diagnosed with vision changes and require the use of corrective lenses, you may have a lot of questions. Below are three commonly asked questions by those who are faced with acquiring their first pair of prescription eyeglasses.
Why Can't I Just Buy Them at the Pharmacy?
Eyeglasses that are sold at the pharmacy, known as reading glasses, can sometimes be helpful for those having trouble seeing up close. A problem occurs, however, when the wearer is also having trouble seeing distances. Reading glasses don't offer the same level of help that prescription glasses do.
If reading glasses are currently meeting your needs, there may be no need to get prescription lenses. It's important to talk to your eye doctor about your vision needs, however, so you can make an educated decision.
Will I Need to Purchase New Prescription Glasses Regularly?
This will depend on many factors, but most importantly, it will depend on how often your vision changes. For some individuals, this is every one to two years and for others, it can be much longer.
As vision changes can happen slowly over time, you may not notice when it's time to get a new pair of glasses. This is why it's important to visit your eye doctor at least once every two years. There are some signs to be aware of, however, that could indicate a possible need for new eyeglasses: Headache, eye straining, and eye fatigue are just a few. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor, even if it's sooner than you usually would.
Will My Eyes Become Dependent on Glasses to See?
Many individuals who wear eyeglasses experience a progression of vision loss over their lifetimes. The two main causes of this progression include disease and aging.
If you require glasses to see on a daily basis, foregoing them will not strengthen your eye muscles and you will not eventually outgrow the need for glasses. Glasses work by lengthening or shortening the light that hits the eye, allowing your brain to process what is being seen. If you're having trouble seeing, glasses will not make your eyes weaker. Instead, they allow you to see what you otherwise couldn't due to your eye's structural changes.
While the answers above may have been enough to satisfy your initial questions and concerns, it's important to talk with an eye doctor, like those at Londonderry Eye Care Optometrists, at length about your vision needs. They will be able to answer specific questions and concerns that relate to your situation.
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