How Often Should I Get a New Prescription for My Glasses?

As a glasses wearer, you’ve probably wondered: how often should I update my prescription? Your vision plays a crucial role in everyday life, and keeping your prescription current is essential for maintaining clear sight and overall eye health. Here's a guide to help you understand when it's time to get a new prescription and how regular eye exams benefit your well-being.

The General Recommendation

Most eye care professionals recommend updating your glasses prescription every 1 to 2 years. This timeframe allows your optometrist to monitor changes in your vision and detect any early signs of eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration. Even if your vision hasn’t noticeably changed, regular eye exams ensure your eyes are healthy.
 

Key Signs You May Need a New Prescription

Sometimes, your vision may change sooner than the 1-2 year recommendation. Here are some signs that it’s time to schedule an eye exam and get a new prescription:
 

• Blurry Vision: If objects at a distance or close up start to look fuzzy, your prescription might need adjusting.
   

• Frequent Headaches: Uncorrected vision problems can strain your eyes and lead to headaches, especially after long periods of reading or screen time.
   

• Eye Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired after focusing on tasks like reading, driving, or working on the computer may signal a change in your vision.
   

• Squinting: If you find yourself squinting to see clearly, it’s a strong indication that your prescription may no longer be effective.
   

• Double Vision or Halos: Seeing double or noticing halos around lights can indicate more significant changes in your eyesight.
   

Age and Vision Changes

Your age can also affect how frequently you need to update your prescription:
 

• Children and Teens: Vision can change quickly during childhood and adolescence as their eyes are still developing. It’s important for children to have yearly eye exams to ensure they have the correct prescription for school and daily activities.
   

• Adults (20s to 40s): Vision typically stabilizes in early adulthood, but factors like digital eye strain and lifestyle changes may require more frequent updates. Adults should have an eye exam annually.
   

• Seniors (40+): Starting in your 40s, your eyes begin to age, and you may develop presbyopia, making it harder to focus on close objects. Regular checkups become more critical as age-related eye conditions like cataracts and glaucoma are more common.
   

Special Considerations: Lifestyle and Health Factors
 

Your lifestyle and health can also affect how often you should update your glasses prescription. If you spend long hours in front of a computer, suffer from chronic headaches, or have underlying health conditions like diabetes, you may need more frequent eye exams.
 

Certain eye conditions, such as astigmatism or myopia, might require more regular adjustments to your prescription as these conditions can worsen over time.
 

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

Getting a new prescription isn’t just about improving your vision—it's about protecting your eye health. Regular eye exams at Pointe Vision Care allow us to:
 

• Detect early signs of eye diseases that may not show symptoms initially
   

• Monitor and control conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure that can affect your vision
   

• Ensure your prescription lenses are helping you see as clearly and comfortably as possible
   

Schedule Your Next Eye Exam at Pointe Vision Care

If you’ve noticed changes in your vision or if it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment. Pointe Vision Care is dedicated to helping you see your best and keeping your eyes healthy.
 

Schedule your next eye exam with Pointe Vision Care to ensure your glasses are up-to-date. Contact our office in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, by calling (313) 546-0600 to book an appointment today.