We all have similar experiences with wearing glasses — whether it’s bumping into things when our lenses get all fogged up or spending countless hours looking for our glasses when they’re right under our noses. If you experience these issues as an eyeglasses wearer, you’re not alone. With that said, we created a list of some common problems you might encounter if you wear glasses and what you can do if they unexpectedly arise. 

Worsening Eye Conditions

Many eye conditions get worse over time whether you are wearing glasses or not. The truth is that glasses don’t change the process of presbyopia or other eye conditions, like macular degeneration and cataracts. Your glasses will help you to see more clearly, but over time, you may need a stronger prescription to account for a worsening eye condition. If you feel your vision worsening, visit your eye doctor for an exam. They can prescribe stronger lenses or even identify other underlying conditions that may be causing vision problems.

Scratches

It’s easy to scratch up your glasses when cleaning them. It happens to the best of us, especially when we use materials that are abrasive to clean our anti-reflective lenses. For the best results, you should always use lens spray and a microfiber cloth to clean any special coatings, even when if it’s not as convenient as rubbing them on your shirt. Additionally, always keep your glasses in a safe place when you don’t have them on, ideally in the case, to avoid any scratches from contact with other objects or harsh surfaces.

Loose Frames

This is a very common problem when the frames become worn out over time. If you frequently bend your glasses when you put them on or remove them, this can also contribute to looseness. You can visit your optometrist to tighten and adjust your frames to restore proper fit to your face, but you may need to get an entirely new pair if that doesn’t do the trick.

Stretched Frames

If you accidentally leave your frames out in the sun, you might regret it, especially if they’re plastic. This material can stretch when exposed to direct heat for prolonged periods. When this happens, your frames can warp and become too large for your face. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it also makes it difficult for your glasses to stay in place. If you encounter stretched frames, you’ll likely need a new pair.

Blurriness

If it has slowly become more difficult to read with your bifocals, then it could be related to the position of the glasses or the correction. As glasses get worn down with age, they can slowly slide out of position, which can cause objects to move out of proper focus. 

On the other hand, blurriness can occur simply because of a gradual change in your eyesight. Over time, your eyes can lose their ability to focus, and you may require a stronger prescription to keep correcting your vision. To address blurriness, get regular eye exams and ensure you keep up with prescription changes if needed.

Night Glare

One common problem many of us experience as glasses-wearers is the experience of night glare, making it difficult to see when driving after dusk. This glare usually comes from oncoming headlights, streetlights, or other light sources. To minimize the impact of this experience, you can opt for glasses with an anti-reflective coating. This coating is designed to lower the amount of light reflected off the surface of your lens, which reduces the amount of glare and helps with eye strain associated with night driving. 

Headaches

If you wear bifocals and commonly experience headaches when using your mobile device or computer, you’re not alone. Traditional line bifocals are not designed for prolonged exposure to these devices. When using your smartphone, laptop, or tablet, your eyes must constantly adjust to the different prescriptions of your line bifocals, leading to eye strain and headaches. To avoid this, talk to your optometrist about no-line bifocals for a more seamless transition between your distance and reading prescriptions. 

Additionally, if you wear regular glasses, headaches are often associated with eye strain, which could indicate that your corrected lenses are no longer working for your vision needs. In this case, consult with an optometrist who can examine your eyes and determine if you need a new prescription. 

Sweat

Nothing is more annoying than having your glasses constantly slide down your face when you sweat. This can be especially bothersome for those who are active, engage in sports or have naturally oily complexions. To prevent this from happening, ensure you have your glasses properly fitted behind your ears by your optometrist. Additionally, it can be helpful to carry a small cloth with you to wipe the bridge of your glasses and the area on your nose in which it rests.

Motion Sickness

When going from one prescription to another, many glasses wearers can experience issues adapting to the peripheral field of vision. And if you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s likely that you will experience temporary nausea until you properly adjust to your new pair.

To help reduce the likelihood of motion sickness, give yourself time to adjust to your new lenses before doing activities with quick movements or sudden changes in direction. If you experience extreme motion sickness, speak with your optometrist for professional advice.

Reflective Glare

Not only is reflective glare from the sunlight bothersome, but it can also cause eye strain and headaches, especially if you’re someone who is sensitive to light. If this type of glare impacts you on a regular basis, talk to your optometrist about polarized sunglasses. These lenses are designed to reduce the amount of light that reflects directly into your eye and ultimately help eliminate the glare and reduce any associated pain.

Squished Objects

This problem refers to a situation where objects appear normal when you look straight ahead but seem squished when you look right and left or up and down. This issue is typically a sign of misalignment of the lenses disrupting the peripheral field of vision. If this is a persistent experience, visit your optometrist, who can assess your lenses and make any necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit and better viewing from all angles. 

Double Vision

It’s not uncommon for a new prescription to cause double vision (seeing two images of a single object) for a glasses-wearer. Fortunately, this usually goes away in a few days once your eyes properly adjust. However, if double vision persists, it’s important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible, as you may need a prescription adjustment. In some cases, this issue can also indicate an underlying condition that may need to be investigated.

Although these are the most common problems you’ll encounter as a glasses-wearer, they are certainly not the only ones. If you encounter any of these issues or need help correcting your vision, contact us at Laurier Optical. One of our onsite eye doctors will be happy to help you.