What Causes Frequent Changes in Eyeglass Prescriptions?
New vision issues are telltale signs of a change in eye prescription. If you haven’t seen an eye doctor in over a year and are experiencing any problems with your eyesight, we suggest having an eye exam right away.
A sudden change in eye prescription can be a cause for concern if left untreated. A comprehensive optical evaluation can give your optometrist all the information they need to treat any vision conditions and prescribe you new glasses.
Let’s examine the causes of frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions to help you better understand what could be happening with your eyes.
What causes frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions?
One of the most common reasons your eyesight can change is due to your lifestyle. A significant increase in computer use since your last eye appointment, for instance, may contribute to symptoms of computer vision syndrome.
Note: You may not always need a new eye prescription with every lifestyle change, but new glasses may support your eyes better than your existing eyewear, based on your symptoms.
Here are some other elements that can cause frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions:
Age
Don’t be too concerned if your eye prescription changes rapidly. Frequent changes in eyeglasses prescriptions can occur and are often attributed to getting older.
Once you surpass age 40, you might find yourself requiring more light than usual to read. The text on your book may also appear blurry since your eye lenses can stiffen and deter the proper light refraction due to presbyopia. This condition can make you require a stronger prescription or new lenses occasionally, the older you get.
Eye Diseases
If you experience any significant changes in eyeglass prescriptions, your eye doctor will look for other signs of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. All of these conditions can contribute to blindness over time and require treatment to prevent your symptoms from worsening.
Keep in mind that many eye diseases don’t come with symptoms right away. You may not realize you have glaucoma, for instance, until it’s already too late, and your peripheral vision changes. That’s why we recommend seeing an eye doctor once a year.
What can you do if you have a sudden change in eye prescription?
The best thing you can do for abrupt prescription changes is to update your corrective lenses. Your optometrist will provide information on the frequency of how often you should wear your new glasses.
Some people need to use prescription eyewear all day. In contrast, others may only need lenses while participating in activities that require full use of distance or near vision (e.g., driving, reading, or working on the computer). (Ask questions if you’re unclear about when to wear glasses. Our team is here to help you.)
In addition to wearing your glasses as recommended, you’ll want to have follow-up eye exams as requested by the eye doctor. Most people only need one eye exam per year, but depending on your eye health and vision, that can vary.
If the cause of your sudden change in eye prescription is an eye disease, the optometrist may need to see you more often. Make sure to stick to the schedule they give you to stay in control of your eye health and prevent your vision from worsening over time.
Summary: Why Your Eye Prescription Changes Rapidly
Your age and eye diseases are two common causes of frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions. If you fear getting older has affected your vision or if a specific eye disease runs in your family, we recommend seeing an optometrist as soon as you can.
A comprehensive eye exam can reveal what’s going on with your vision, as well as give the optometrist insight into what they can do to correct it. If you experience any sudden changes in prescription, don’t panic. Simply call an eye doctor in your area, and schedule an appointment to have your eyes checked.
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