When do you need glasses?

Do you sometimes ask yourself: “Do I need glasses?” You may notice that your eyes get tired more quickly or that you have trouble seeing details from a distance. Or do you often work behind a monitor and wonder when you need glasses for optimal vision? In this blog, we'll discuss the signs that you need glasses and what role screen glasses can play in reducing eye fatigue while working.

Do I need glasses? Common symptoms

Many people only notice late that their vision is slowly deteriorating. Vision problems often develop gradually, and our brain has the ability to compensate for minor changes. This can mean that you don't always notice the signs of reduced vision immediately. Here are some common symptoms that may indicate it's time to consider glasses.

Blurred vision

One of the most obvious signs of poor visibility is when objects, texts, or faces become blurry. This can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the eye disorder.

• Distant blurred vision (myopia): If you have trouble seeing objects at a distance, such as road signs, television, or the blackboard, this may indicate myopia. Your eyes are unable to focus properly on objects that are far away from you, which is common among young people and students.
• Near blurred vision (farsightedness): Do you have trouble reading fine print or do you have to keep your phone or book further away from you to see clearly? Then farsightedness (hyperopia) may be a cause.
• Double vision or blurred transitions (astigmatism): In astigmatism, the shape of the eye is not perfectly round, so images can appear distorted or duplicate. This can cause fatigue and headache, especially after prolonged viewing at the same distance.

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Tired eyes and headache

Another common symptom of impaired vision is regularly experiencing eye fatigue or headaches, especially after activities that require sharp vision. Eye fatigue can occur because your eyes are constantly trying to adjust and focus.

• Pressure on the eyes: When your eyes have to work too hard to see clearly, tension occurs in the eye muscles. This can cause pain or a feeling of heaviness around the eyes and can sometimes even spread to the temples and forehead.
• Headaches at the end of the day: People with a slight eye defect can focus all day long, but this costs their eyes so much energy that they eventually become tired. This often results in an oppressive or aching headache that occurs at the end of the day, often behind the eyes or at the temples.
• Headaches due to screen work: Working behind a screen can cause headaches due to prolonged exposure to blue light and continuous eye strain. Computer glasses can help with this, as they often have a blue light filter that can reduce eye fatigue and headaches.

Trouble focusing and pinching

A common sign that you need glasses is regular squinting to see better. By pinching, your eyes make the opening smaller, so that the incidence of light is limited and objects can appear slightly sharper.

• Pinch to see text or objects: If you have trouble reading texts or recognizing faces from a distance, this could be a sign of myopia. It may seem like a simple solution to pinch, but in the long run, this can lead to eye fatigue and even headaches.
• Blinking and rubbing the eyes: Blinking or rubbing your eyes frequently can indicate eye fatigue, especially when accompanied by blurred vision. Your eyes often feel dry or irritated because they have to make continuous efforts to focus.

Problems with twilight or night vision

Do you have trouble seeing in the dark or in dim environments? wicked night vision can be a sign that your eyes need support, especially if you have glare or streaks of light while driving in the dark. This symptom is common in people who are nearsighted.

• Glare and light streaks: Light scattering in the eye can cause light sources to appear to have a “halo” or stripes in the dark. This is common in myopia or astigmatism and makes nocturnal activities, such as driving, extra difficult and sometimes even dangerous.
• Light sensitivity in twilight: Some people are particularly sensitive to artificial lighting and find it difficult to adapt to low light. This may be a sign that your eyes need glasses to better process light and improve contrasts.

Reading problems and tiredness while working closely

As people get older, it's often harder for the eye to focus on nearby objects. This is called presbyopia and is a normal phenomenon as the lens in the eye becomes less flexible.

• Need to keep objects further away: When it becomes difficult to see a book or phone in focus at a short distance, you may develop presbyopia. You often find that you have to keep things further and further away from you in order to see them clearly.
• Double vision when reading: Some people with presbyopia or other eye disorders experience double vision or confusion when reading long texts. This can cause fatigue, especially after prolonged periods of focused reading or working.

When do you need glasses?

If you recognize the above signs, it may be time to visit an optician. But when exactly should you wear glasses? In general, if your daily activities, such as driving, working or reading, are hampered by poor vision, glasses can be a wise solution. Eye protection is especially important for computer workers.

Screen glasses: Do you need one?

If you work a lot with monitors, such as computers, phones and tablets, screen glasses can be a solution. Monitor glasses help protect your eyes from blue light, reduce fatigue and prevent headaches. This is because they're specifically designed to focus at the distance you're looking at your screen. If you have symptoms such as eye fatigue, headache and neck pain after prolonged screen use, screen glasses may be the solution.

Also read: Do I need screen glasses?

How do you know if you need glasses?

Now, you may be wondering, “How do I know if I really need glasses?” The answer is simple: if you notice that your eyes are often tired, if you regularly have headaches, or if you have trouble reading texts from a distance or up close, an eye exam can provide clarity. One optician can determine in just a few minutes whether your eyes need extra support.

The benefits of wearing glasses

If it turns out that you need glasses, you will notice that this not only improves your vision, but also your general well-being. By reducing the strain on your eyes, you reduce the risk of tiredness and headache. And with computer glasses, you can work longer and more comfortably without tiring your eyes.

Time to take action!

Whether you're sitting behind a screen regularly or especially noticing that details are getting blurry, it's important to take care of your eyes. Do you recognize yourself in the symptoms mentioned? Then don't hesitate to get an eye exam. And if you work a lot behind a screen, computer glasses may be a solution to protect your eyes and reduce fatigue.

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