Is it Safe to Wear Your Prescription Lenses When Not Needed?

Is it Safe to Wear Your Prescription Lenses When Not Needed?

Many prescription lens wearers are unable to see the TV from their couch clearly, but can read the fine print of a book without any vision aids. Yet, to transition back and forth between wearing glasses and not can become bothersome, especially when engaging in activities like driving where you need to constantly be able to see near and far simultaneously.

The question than arises as to whether or not you are hurting your vision by continuing to wear your corrective lenses, even when not necessary.

Breaking the Myth

Until recently it was believed that corrective lenses could actually hurt your vision if not necessary. New research however shows that if you are under 40 and near sighted, you can still see clearly at a close distance with your glasses on, even when reading or using a computer. This should not cause any eye strain or other damage.  As the eyes change after 40, especially for those diagnosed with astigmatism, eye glass wearers may note a difference in clarity when the corrective eye wear is removed.

What many people fail to realize is that when you are near sighted, your eyes actually have an extra magnification to make up the distance. This is the main reason why you have trouble focusing at a distance, but can see the tiniest writing on the side of a cereal box. For this reason, your vision is mostly unaffected by the use of glasses to see objects at a distance.

Your Options After 40

Once you do approach middle age however, you might begin to notice changes in your ability to see up close. This is a natural part of the aging process, but one that can be easily corrected with the right pair of prescription eye glasses. Bifocals are designed specifically for this issue, allowing you to focus on objects at distance through one half of the lens, and use the other half to read the morning paper.

If you do notice that you begin to lose your ability to focus after putting on or taking off your prescription lenses, it could be that you need a change in prescription. Like during adolescence, it is not uncommon for the vision needs of the middle aged to change yearly as their bodies undergo various changes. A visit to your eye doctor should ensure that no other factors, such as glaucoma or other eye diseases are to blame, and get you fitted with a new prescription that will allow you to adjust your eyesight rapidly.

Knowing that you have no worries about ruining your perfect vision by wearing your glasses for near sightedness all of the time, it is time to go ahead and get fitted not only for a chic pair of designer frames, but a fun pair of prescription sunglasses that you will allow you to see the waves crashing as you lay out on the beach.