Do you ever squint to look at your phone, get a headache when reading, or have trouble seeing road signs while driving? Of course, it’s easy to think “I’ll just stop wearing glasses today” or to continue using old lenses that no longer fit. But here’s the thing – when you have vision problems and don’t wear glasses or take steps to get them treated, or even insist on wearing glasses with the wrong prescription, you’re setting yourself up for bigger problems. What starts as simple eye strain can turn into a serious vision problem over time, especially for children.
Short-Term Effects When You Skip Your Glasses
1. Your Eyes Tire Easily
The eyes are working extra hard without eye glasses on. Just like the way your arms get tired from lifting weights all day, your eyes get worn out from focusing all the time. This may result in headaches and tiredness of the eyes, especially with the use of phones or reading of books.
2. Everything Looks Blurry
Things are hard to see clearly: road signs look fuzzy, it gets difficult to read menus, and screens look cloudy. You find yourself squinting or moving closer to see things; you hold things far away to read them.
3. You Might Get Hurt
Poor vision contributes to the likelihood of accidents. You might miss a step on stairs, bump into things, or not see cars coming when crossing streets. Simple things, like catching things or riding bikes, become dangerous.
4. Daily Tasks Become Hard
Poor vision slows you down. Work takes longer because you can't read well. Students miss what's on the board. You may not recognize faces or catch important details. These problems make every day more difficult than it needs to be.