Eyeglasses and contact lenses allow individuals with nearsightedness, farsightedness and other refractive errors to see clearly. You must see your eye doctor regularly to ensure you have the appropriate prescription eyewear. Even the slightest change in your vision can affect the effectiveness and comfort of your glasses or contacts.
Often, patients ask if wearing the wrong prescription lenses can harm their eyes. Continue reading to find out.
What Happens If You Wear the Wrong Prescription?
If the prescription of your lenses is inaccurate, your eyes will work harder. You could then suffer from blurred vision, eye strain and headaches. In adults, there isn’t a high risk of long-term eye damage associated with wearing the wrong prescription glasses. However, it can worsen hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism in kids. It can also affect visual development in younger children.
Moreover, prescription lens errors can cause changes in your depth perception. You could feel dizzy or off balance if your eyewear has an incorrect prescription. If you have vertigo, wearing the wrong glasses could trigger or worsen symptoms.
How Do You Know If You Have the Wrong Prescription Glasses?
Did you recently get new glasses? If you find wearing your new pair uncomfortable, you could still be getting used to its lenses. The adjustment period for new prescription eyewear can last from two days to two weeks. If you still feel uncomfortable after two weeks, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.
Are you an existing eyeglass or contact lens wearer? Frequent headaches, blurred vision, constant squinting and eye strain are all signs you need to update your prescription eyewear. Even if your sight appears the same, you should still have your eyes checked regularly. Experts advise getting new eyeglasses every two to three years. Specialists can trace even the smallest changes in your vision and provide more appropriate prescription lenses.
If you believe you have the wrong prescription glasses, don’t hesitate to let your eye doctor know. Alderwood Optical & Canyon Park Vision Clinic is here for your eye care needs. Call us at (425) 771-8472 (Lynnwood) or (425) 485-0430 (Bothell). You can also complete our online form to schedule an appointment. We serve patients around Redmond and Kirkland, WA.