What Are Signs You Might Need Glasses?

Did you know that millions of Americans wear corrective lenses or contacts? Many people visit the ophthalmologist each year to get their prescription updated and, sometimes, a new pair of frames. Unfortunately, some individuals do not visit the eye doctor until they experience a problem. The truth is that everyone should schedule routine exams for the good of their eye health.

Whether you have perfect vision or experience nearsighted vision, farsighted vision, or other issues, we encourage you to visit the professionals at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center. Dr. Young H. Choi is an experienced professional who can recognize the signs you need glasses and make suggestions to improve your eyesight. Contact our clinic near Birmingham, AL to schedule your next visit.

Common signs you need glasses

• Blurred vision: When others can see things clearly when you cannot, this is a major red flag. One of the most common signs you need glasses is that objects up close or far away seem blurry. Perhaps you find yourself holding books and magazines closer to your face when reading, or have trouble reading road signs when driving. This is usually because of blurred vision.

• Eyestrain: Prolonged squinting or blinking also indicates vision problems in patients. Eyestrain happens when your eyes get tired from overuse, such as sitting at the computer for extended periods of time. Strain means that your eyes are working too hard and could use some help alleviating the stress. Glasses could take the pressure off and make you feel more comfortable during daily activities.

• Distorted or double vision: Double vision occurs when you see two images where there is only one. These images can be on top of one another, side by side, or both. Distorted vision is when objects look wavy, as if you were looking into a funhouse mirror. These issues could indicate problems with your eye muscles and how they work or be a symptom of astigmatism that causes familiar objects to appear contorted.

• Trouble with light: Some people have trouble seeing in dim light or darkness. Others need extra light when reading or watching television. If you have trouble adjusting to changes in light or see halos around lights, you need to schedule an eye exam. There are several eye conditions that cause problems with seeing lights, including astigmatism and cataracts.

Types of refractive errors

Normally, light enters your eye through the cornea and lens and onto the retina. Messages are sent from the retina through the optic nerve, and then to the brain. Our brains then interpret these signals into what we see every day. If the light is not focused just right, a refractive error occurs. There are several kinds of refractive errors that require glasses or contact lenses, depending on which part of your eyes are affected in Birmingham, AL.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, allows you to see close-up objects clearly but not objects from a distance. The opposite is true of hyperopia, or farsightedness. Astigmatism causes blurred vision to some degree at all distances. Keep in mind that everyone experiences vision problems differently, so schedule a visit to the eye doctor if you are unsure if you have a refractive error. Dr. Young H. Choi can help with double vision, blurred vision, eyestrain, and more.

Learn the signs and schedule an appointment

The importance of annual eye exams goes beyond making sure your vision is not blurry. Dr. Young H. Choi and the entire team at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center want to improve your overall health and quality of life. If you have questions about refractive errors and want to know if you need glasses in Birmingham, AL, contact us for an appointment today. We are happy to walk you through the process.