How To Know If You Need Glasses

How to know if you need glasses is a question that comes up at some point in everyone's life. The answer to that is as simple as it is complicated, but can literally save you from a major headache. There are many things that can change how clearly we see the world. Stress, health issues and age are a few of the factors that can have you questioning if you need glasses or not. If you are wondering how to know if you need glasses, pay close attention to changes in your vision and share your observations with your Optometrist or Ophthalmologist.

  1. Are you getting headaches? Headaches are one of the most common signs that you may need glasses. Although headaches are easy to pass off as a symptom of tension, consider that it could be the tension and stress that you're placing on your eyes that's causing your pain.
  2. Do you squint at more than just a bright morning? If friends are commenting on how often you squint, or if you find yourself squinting to see the television or street signs, it's a good chance that you may need glasses.
  3. Are your eyes feeling tired early in the day? It could be from a long night or boredom at work, but if you find that your eyes continuously grow tired during the day you may be fighting harder than you realize to see clearly. Overworking your eyes by constantly straining to see can and usually does cause your eyes to feel tired.
  4. Is your vision blurry? This may sound like a no-brainer, but blurry vision is the number one way to know if you need glasses or at least need to see your eye doctor.
  5. Do you find driving at night increasingly difficult? When driving at night, do you notice that your vision is less clear or that you are having obvious trouble with glare and halos around lights? Gradual or sudden changes in night vision may indicate that you need glasses or have other eye problems that should be discussed with your Ophthalmologist.
  6. Does it seem as if print is getting smaller? Another way to know if you need glasses is if newspaper or magazine print is starting to look smaller to you. A common indicator for people who need glasses is the sudden need to move objects closer or further away to read clearly.

Warnings and Tips:

  • Not all changes in vision require eyeglasses. Some health issues, such as uncontrolled Diabetes, can cause changes in how clearly you see.
  • Changes may indicate serious issues with your vision that need to be treated right away. Report any sudden vision changes to your eye doctor as soon as possible.
  • Depending on your age and the health of your eyes, an eye exam is recommended at least once every two years.


American Optometric Association
National Library of Medicine



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