9 Clear Signs You Need New Glasses for Improved Vision

Published on June 30th, 2023

Updated on April 8th, 2025

There are clear signs you may need new glasses for improved vision including changes to your vision such as blurry vision and double vision, squinting or difficulty focusing, experiencing headaches from glasses, missed eye tests, eye strain with glasses and fatigue and poor night vision. You may be due for new glasses for reasons other than vision problems such as lens damage or your current glasses are out of fashion. It is important to have your eyes tested every two years so your optometrist can ensure your prescription aligns correctly with your visual requirements. The 9 clear signs you need a new glasses prescription for improved vision are listed below.

Blurry Vision: Blurry vision can cause things to look unclear or lack sharpness, making it difficult to make out objects, people’s faces or shapes.
Double Vision: Double vision or also known as diplopia is when you can see two images of an object when you look at it.
Out of Fashion: Out of fashion glasses may not reflect the popular styles that are currently in fashion. If it has been a while since your last change of glasses, it may be time for an update.
Lens Damage: Lens damage can be caused by poor handling as well as natural wear and tear.
Experiencing Headaches: Experiencing headaches can occur from eye strain, which can be caused by wearing outdated glasses.
Squinting or Difficulty Focusing: Squinting or having difficulty focusing when trying to read may mean a change in your refractive error grade.
Missed Eye Tests: Missed eye tests may lead to later detection of changes in your vision.
Eye Strain and Fatigue: Eye strain or fatigue when wearing your current glasses may be from your eyes working more to see with outdated glasses.
Poor Night Vision: Poor night vision when wearing your glasses may indicate you need a new prescription.

1. Blurry Vision

Blurry vision may cause difficulty in seeing objects, people’s faces and shapes clearly or with sharpness. Blurry vision when wearing your current glasses may indicate you need new glasses or that you have an underlying eye condition according to All About Vision. Blurry vision can be caused by problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism; these are known as refractive errors. Blurry vision can progress over time, however, it is important to see your optometrist if you are experiencing blurry vision.

Example of what blurry vision may look like

2. Double Vision

Double vision is when you see two images of an object you’re looking at. Double vision may occur as a temporary problem and develop when using outdated glasses according to the Mayo Clinic. Double vision, also referred to as diplopia occurs when the light does not enter both of your retinas at the same point. The different types of double vision are horizontal, vertical and monocular. Horizontal diplopia occurs when images appear next to each other or overlap and vertical diplopia occurs when one image appears higher or lower than the other. Monocular diplopia is when double vision occurs when one eye is closed. Sudden onset diplopia should be urgently investigated, especially if you are experiencing headaches or notice a change in pupil size. Therefore, it is important to consult with your optometrist if this occurs.

3. Out of Fashion

Out-of-fashion glasses may not be as updated as current glasses stylistically. If it has been a while since you have changed your current glasses, it may be time to browse for new frames and, make sure everything is correct with your current prescription when you visit an optometrist.

4. Lens Damage

Lens damage can be caused by not taking care of your glasses when setting them down or storing them incorrectly. Damaged lenses could interfere with clear vision, therefore, it is best to replace them with new glasses. The answer to is wearing scratched glasses bad, is dependent upon how bad the scratches are. According to All About Vision, scratches on your lenses may affect the way light enters the eye and possibly hinder your ability to see clearly with your glasses. However, damaged lenses are not able to cause further impairment to your eyes or vision.

Prescription glasses with damaged lenses

5. Experiencing Headaches

Experiencing headaches is a common symptom of other eye conditions and can be caused by eye strain. The answer to can old glasses cause headaches is yes. Wearing glasses and experiencing headaches may be a good indicator that you need to have your eyes tested for a new prescription. Another possible reason you’re experiencing headaches could be a result of frames that require adjustments as they might be too tight around your temples.

6. Squinting or Difficulty Focusing

Squinting or difficulty focusing when trying to read or look at objects could indicate you’re in need of new glasses. Refractive errors such as short-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism, can include squinting and difficulty focusing as common symptoms. If you feel you need to squint to see better, your glasses may not be functioning properly according to Very Well Health.

7. Missed Eye Exams

Missed eye tests may result in late detection of changes to your vision or identifying early signs of more serious eye problems. If it has been more than two years since your last eye test, you are likely due for another eye check-up to confirm whether you need new glasses or not. The recommended frequency of having your eyes tested is once every two years. If you are over 65 years old, then a yearly review is ideal.

8. Eye Strain and Fatigue

Eye strain and fatigue are eye problems that can feel as though your eyelids are heavy and aching and your eyes are irritated and tired. Wearing your current glasses and experiencing eye strain and fatigue may mean your eyes are exerting too much effort to see clearly, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Eye strain with glasses means you may need to get new glasses. Eye strain and fatigue are also common symptoms of other eye problems, so it is important to let your optometrist know so they can determine if you have any underlying conditions.

9. Poor Night Vision

Poor night vision is having difficulty seeing at night and is a common eye problem. Wearing glasses should be able to help correct poor night vision, so you will need to consult with your optometrist about updating your prescription and glasses. Having difficulty seeing at night may occur as a symptom of astigmatism, cataracts, or retinal problems according to the Cleveland Clinic. Therefore, it is important to have your eyes tested to ensure your prescription and glasses are up to date.

Example of what poor night vision may look like

What Are Prescription Glasses?

Prescription glasses are glasses made with lenses specifically designed to help poor vision by aligning with the visual requirements of the individual. Glasses frames can be made out of metal and plastic and can come in forms such as wire frames, low nose bridge fit frames, aviator frames and semi-rimless frames. The lenses that fit inside the frames are made by cutting the required shape of the lens out of slabs of glass or plastic. The different types of lenses include single vision, multifocal lenses, bifocal lenses, prism lenses and high-index lenses. There are also prescription sunglasses that come in a range of different lenses and tints to help people who need vision correction protect their eyes from the sun. Read our article on the 8 best types of UV sunglasses for eye protection to find out more.

What is the Importance of Prescription Glasses?

The importance of prescription glasses is their effectiveness in helping correct visual errors. Wearing prescription glasses assists individuals with visual requirements and also relieves eyestrain and fatigue from trying to see clearly. While prescription glasses play a crucial role in providing clear vision and addressing various vision-related issues, they can also provide other benefits. Benefits of prescription glasses include protection from foreign matter entering the eye, protection against UV rays in the form of prescription sunglasses and the option to select multiple frames that suit your style and lifestyle.

Do Prescription Glasses Protect Eyes from Blue Light?

Yes, prescription glasses may protect your eyes from blue light as they are effective in blocking out the blue light emitted from digital devices. Your optometrist is likely to ask if you would like to have a blue light filter added to your prescription. It is important to note, there is not enough evidence to support claims that blue light is confirmed to be harmful to the eyes. However, they are still effective in reducing our intake of blue light.

Do Prescription Glasses Block UV Rays?

Yes, prescription glasses may block UV rays as effectively as sunglasses do according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Prescription glasses are effective in blocking UV rays if they have the required additional coating on plastic lenses as well as polycarbonate lenses, which do not need an extra coating.

How to Read an Eyeglasses Prescription

To read an eyeglasses prescription, it is important to know the meaning of the abbreviations, varying numbers and symbols that are included. Firstly, looking at SPH (sphere) specifies the amount of far-sightedness you have using numbers as well as a “+” symbol and short-sightedness which is indicated by a “-” symbol. Secondly, reading CYL (cylinder) will inform you of the amount of astigmatism you have accompanied by a “-” symbol. ADD is the abbreviation for addition, which indicates the amount of magnification needed for close vision, accompanied by a “+” symbol. This may include if you require glasses for reading, multifocal lenses or progressive glasses. Next is the pupillary distance which will show on your prescription as PD and is the measurement of the distance between your eyes in millimetres. It is intended to ensure your lenses are effectively positioned over your eyes to provide you with clear vision. The Axis will inform you of the angle between 0-180 degrees to help rectify astigmatism. Axis works in conjunction with CYL in order to fix astigmatism. Finally, reading the values on Int ADD (intermediate ADD) determines the amount of magnification required for computer vision. You can find a more detailed guide in our article on how to read your eye prescription.

How Often Should Prescription Glasses Be Changed?

Prescription glasses should be changed every 2-3 years unless there are major changes to your vision sooner or later than the recommended time frame. On a prescription, there will be an expiration date that informs the patient when they will need to have their eyes tested to receive a new prescription. Optometrists strongly advise having your eyes tested once every two years, which can also help you stay up to date with your prescriptions.

How Long Should Prescription Glasses Last?

Prescription glasses should last up to two years, much like the recommended time you should have your eyes tested. Over time our vision can change, and as a result, your current prescription may not be sufficient in correcting your vision according to All About Vision. Expired glasses symptoms can include blurry vision, headaches, eye strain and fatigue, squinting and difficulty focusing, double vision and poor night vision.

Can Old Prescription Glasses Make You Dizzy?

No, old prescription glasses cannot make you dizzy. However, eye strain may be able to cause vertigo, also known as dizziness according to Vision Specialists of Michigan. When our eyes are continuously exerting effort to correct themselves and align, eye strain may develop and result in dizziness. It is important to note that while using outdated prescription glasses may cause symptoms as mentioned, it is possible for only some of these symptoms to occur. If you are experiencing dizziness while wearing glasses, it is advisable to let your optometrist know and they will be able to inform you of the best solution.

Is it Okay to Wear Prescription Glasses All The Time?

Yes, it is okay to wear your prescription glasses all the time if you are comfortable with them. Individuals who have significantly poor vision will need to wear their glasses all the time as advised by their optometrist. The optometrist will discuss what treatment plan is most suitable for your condition, which can include how frequently they recommend you to wear them. Individuals who are prescribed glasses for specific tasks may not be required to wear them all the time.

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