Why Does Your Glasses Prescription Change Over Time?

If you wear glasses or contacts, you may have noticed that your prescription tends to change over time. Even with annual eye examinations, it is not uncommon for small adjustments to be made to your visual correction. These changes can occur for various reasons, including age, lifestyle factors, and health conditions. In this blog, we will explore why your glasses prescription may change over time, and how different factors can influence these changes.
 

Age-Related Changes

One of the most common reasons for changes in your glasses prescription is the natural aging process. As we grow older, our eyes undergo various structural and functional changes that can affect our vision. In particular, the eye’s ability to focus on close objects, known as accommodation, tends to decline with age. This condition, called presbyopia, often requires the use of reading glasses or multifocal lenses to maintain clear near vision.

Additionally, older individuals may also develop other age-related eye conditions, such as cataracts, which can cause a gradual clouding of the lens and lead to changes in visual acuity. In such cases, cataract surgery may be necessary to restore clarity and may result in a new prescription after the procedure.
 

Changes in Health and Lifestyle

Certain changes in your overall health or lifestyle can also impact your prescription. Significant fluctuations in weight, hormonal changes, and new diagnoses or medications can all contribute to changes in your vision. For example, diabetes, which affects blood sugar levels and can impact the health of the blood vessels in the eyes, may lead to fluctuations in prescription.

Changes in work or daily activities can also play a role. For instance, if you transition to a job that involves prolonged periods of close-up work, such as reading or screen time, your eyes may have to adjust to this new demand. Similarly, individuals who spend a lot of time outdoors may experience changes in visual needs due to variations in lighting conditions.
 

Growth and Development in Children

Children and teenagers commonly experience changes in their glasses prescription as their eyes are still developing. The length and shape of the eyeball can change as a child grows, leading to fluctuations in visual acuity. It is not uncommon for children to need updated prescriptions every six months to a year during their rapid growth phases.

It is crucial to ensure that children receive regular eye examinations to monitor their vision and prescribe the appropriate corrective measures. Early detection of vision issues can help prevent long-term complications and ensure healthy visual development.
 

Other Factors Impacting Glasses Prescription Changes

There are additional factors that can contribute to changes in your glasses prescription. These include eye injuries, eye surgeries, and even changes in eyewear fashion trends that may influence the type of lenses you prefer.
 

What to Do If You Suspect a Change to Your Prescription

If you notice that things are blurrier, you are having more eye strain or headaches, or that your vision is better without your glasses on, your prescription may have changed. In these cases, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to assess your prescription and investigate what could have caused this change.
 

Our eye doctor at Local Eyes Optometry in New Braunfels, TX excels in the prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at (830) 627-9272 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to learn more about how changes can impact your glasses prescription. Our eye doctor, Dr. Marcus Page, provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in New Braunfels, Texas.