Do you often skip wearing your glasses because you don’t want to look like a nerd but end up squinting at boards and menus every time you go outside? Does wearing glasses make your eyesight worse? Is natural eyesight correction really a thing? Is wearing glasses a lifelong curse or a curative boon? If you are pondering upon the same questions, we are here to answer them all.
What exactly is the purpose of wearing glasses?
Before we get into whether or not wearing glasses improves eyesight, let’s first get to know about what exactly glasses do. The answer is pretty simple; glasses help a person to see well. Not everyone has the perfect 20/20 vision. While some people may have trouble reading signs on the road while driving, some might have to squint to read the amount on a bill that the cashier just handed them.
People who can view things or read from a distance suffer from a condition known as myopia, which is commonly known as nearsightedness. Whereas those who can clearly see objects from a distance, but struggle to read from near, suffer from a condition known as hyperopia or farsightedness. Both the conditions are caused due to the inability of the eye to focus and project a clear visual image on the retina.
A simple eye test can help determine the type and intensity of the eyesight condition and doctors prescribe glasses to help the eyes to readjust light and correct vision problems. The prescribed concave and convex lenses adjust the optical length and physical length so that the light directly focuses on the retina for optimal eyesight. Plus, glasses also help protect your eyes from sun damage to an extent. Now, the question is whether wearing glasses is the ultimate solution to improving eyesight?
Can wearing glasses improve eyesight?
Yes, wearing glasses improves eyesight but it is not the ultimate cure to vision problems. Unlike medicines and treatments, glasses are merely a tool that helps to improve your vision while you are wearing them. Glasses are a non-intrusive and temporary way to correct the refractive error in the eye. Corrective eyewear magnifies your field of view and bends light for improved eyesight but it does not affect the root cause of the condition which lies in the shape of your physical eye or other factors like age.
So does wearing glasses make your eyesight worse by making your eyes dependent on the power of the lenses?
Can wearing glasses make your eyesight worse?
Since glasses cannot change the anatomy of your eye, there is no way wearing glasses can affect your eyesight negatively. Your prescription is based on the anatomy of the eye which includes the front curve of the cornea, the refractive power of the intraocular lens, and the length of the eyeball. Looking through your prescribed corrective eyewear brings no change to the functioning of the physical eye. So the simple answer to “does wearing glasses make your eyesight worse” is, no. So, don’t worry because there is no evidence that a correct prescription can worsen your eyesight.
However, it is crucial to note that your prescription can change over time due to growing age. Wearing the same corrective eyewear without regular eye checkups can cause strain and eye fatigue. Book your appointment online at The Eye Lab Melbourne for an accurate eye health checkup and optimal eye care.
Is natural eyesight correction a thing?
Did anyone mention natural eyesight correction the last time you asked how to make your eyesight better without wearing glasses? One of the most common misinformation regarding glasses is that they can weaken your eyes and you must let nature take its course. You might have heard a friend or relative mention that it is better to avoid eyeglasses and promote natural eyesight correction. Natural vision correction is a belief that one can improve eyesight without the use of any medications, drugs, or corrective eyewear. The method focuses on massages, repetitive eye exercises, and relaxation techniques. While some ardently advocate natural vision correction, others simply dismiss it. Scientifically, there is no evidence that the technique works and it is merely a placebo.
What are the long-term and short-term effects of not wearing glasses?
Do you often skip wearing glasses because it does compliment your outfit or look rather “uncool”? If yes, one of the questions that pester you might be, does eyesight get worse without glasses? As mentioned earlier, not wearing your prescribed eyeglasses cannot technically worsen your eyesight but it can lead to multiple short-term and long-term vision discomforts.
Short term effects:
- Squinting
- Frequent headaches
- Eye irritation
- Sun damage
- Trouble in basic daily activities like reading
- Increased risk of injury due to hazy vision
Long term effects:
- Increasing intensity of hyperopia or myopia
- Uncorrected vision leads to prolonged headaches
- Learning disorder in children
- Frequent changes in prescription
- Prolonged eye distress and fatigue
How to make your eyesight better without wearing glasses?
There is no magic pill or trick to improve your eyesight without wearing glasses. Your eyesight depends on factors like age, lifestyle, and eye diseases. Consciously making healthy lifestyle choices like changes in diet and eye exercises may not cure your eye condition but it can make a positive impact on your overall eye health. A balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fatty acids, and carotenoids will help protect the retina and prevent conditions like night blindness and eye fatigue.
The best way to maintain optimal eye health is to ensure regular eye tests and appointments with your optometrist. Learn more from specialists about eye care and seek expert opinions on “does eyesight get worse without glasses” and “tips to improve eyesight”. Regular eye checkups can help with timely diagnosis and accurate prescriptions to protect your eyes and improve vision. If you are uncomfortable wearing spectacles, you can consult your eye specialist and go for permanent laser vision correction treatment also known as LASIK eye surgery.
How often should I get my eye vision checked?
Eyes are the windows to your soul and they also tell a lot about your overall health and well-being. Don’t limit your eye care to mere Google searches like can wearing glasses improve eyesight! Your optometrist knows what the best is for you.
Eye vision is subject to frequent changes and which is precisely why you need periodic thorough eye tests to make sure that you are not suffering from any of the following eye conditions/diseases:
- Macular degeneration
- Myopia
- Hyperopia
- Epiphora
- Eye floaters
- Glaucoma
- Dry eye syndrome
- Computer vision syndrome
- Presbyopia
- Hay Fever eyes
- Red eyes
- Conjunctivitis
At one point in life, everyone needs an eye checkup and wonders whether wearing glasses can improve eyesight. For an average individual, it is ideal to book an eye checkup appointment at least every two years. Especially for children, expectant mothers, and the elderly with uncorrected vision problems, book an eye test appointment as soon as possible.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Eyeglasses may not be a curative boon for people with hazy vision but it definitely is an ideal and convenient corrective measure that instantly improves vision and eases daily life. Even though the answer to “does eyesight get worse without glasses” is no, it is eye care essential that adequately enhances eyesight when in use.
And hey! The good news is that eyewear is quite the trend now unlike the old days, so sport your eyeglasses without the stigma!