How Do You Know If You Need Reading Glasses? Signs to Watch For
Vision changes are a natural part of aging, but they're not always easy to recognize. Signs of declining eyesight include blurry text, eye strain, and reading changes. These signs can indicate the early stages of aging and vision decline.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1 in 6 Americans over 65 has a vision impairment that can't be corrected with contact lenses or glasses. So, how do you know if you need reading glasses?
Understanding the key signs of declining eyesight is an integral part of protecting senior eye health. Discover the early warning signs of vision decline in Auburn, AL, below.
How Do You Know If You Need Reading Glasses?: Blurry Vision Up Close
Nearsightedness occurs in around 23.9% of the population over 40, or about 34 million people. Farsightedness occurs in around 8.4% of the population over the age of 40, equating to 14.2 million people (NVISION).
Farsightedness is a condition that makes it difficult to see things up close. Presbyopia is another age-related loss of near focusing ability. This can also cause blurry vision when reading or doing close-up work.
Small print may look fuzzy, or letters may blur together. Noticing this change is a common sign that it's time to consider getting reading glasses and protect your senior eye health.
Eye Strain or Fatigue
Eye strain or fatigue often happens after focusing on close tasks for too long. Prolonged activities can cause you to feel heaviness and discomfort, or a dull ache around your eyes.
Repetitive or detailed tasks can tire your eyes, such as:
- Reading
- Using smartphones
- Working on a computer
- Sewing or crafting
- Writing or drawing
- Playing games
Colonial Penn reports that people aged 60 and over spend as much as 4 hours and 16 minutes in front of screens each day. Blinking less or not having enough light can make it worse.
For seniors, eye strain can signal changes in vision related to aging. Paying attention to these feelings helps protect senior eye health.
Using reading glasses can reduce strain. It makes daily activities easier and more comfortable.
Headaches Related to Reading
Headaches that start during or after reading can signal vision changes. Struggling to focus on small print puts extra strain on your eyes. This tension often leads to discomfort in your forehead or around your eyes.
Reading in dim lighting or holding reading material too close to your eyes can make it worse. For seniors, these headaches may also be a sign of presbyopia or farsightedness.
If you're experiencing frequent headaches when reading, don't ignore the pain. It might be time to explore reading glasses to ease the strain and protect your vision.
Difficulty Seeing in Low Light
If you're still trying to determine the answer to "How do you know if you need reading glasses?", let's shed a little light on the subject.
Struggling to see in dim lighting is a common sign of aging eyes. As we get older, our pupils shrink and let in less light. This makes it harder to read menus in restaurants or books at night.
You may find yourself reaching for a brighter lamp more often to enjoy the activities and events you used to. Tasks that once felt easy become frustrating without enough light.
This change is a natural part of aging and vision. It may point to the need for reading glasses.
Holding Reading Materials at Arm's Length
Holding books, phones, or menus at arm's length is a telltale sign that your near vision is changing. What used to be easy to read now looks blurry up close.
As your eyes struggle to focus, distancing the material becomes a daily habit. This common adjustment is also linked to the vision issue, presbyopia.
If your arms are doing more work than your eyes, it may be time to consider reading glasses to bring things back into focus.
Squinting to Improve Focus
Squinting may feel like a simple fix, but it often means your eyes are straining to see clearly. By narrowing your eyelids, you slightly change the way light enters your eyes.
While this can make blurry text appear sharper for a moment, it isn't a cure. If you're squinting often while reading or looking at your phone, it could be a sign of changing vision.
This habit may also lead to headaches or fatigue. For seniors, squinting is one of the early signs of declining eyesight. It may signal the need for reading glasses or better lighting conditions.
Removing Distance Glasses to See Near Objects
If you wear glasses for distance but take them off to read, you're not alone. Many older adults find that near objects look clearer without their distance lenses.
This is a common sign of presbyopia, which affects the eye's ability to focus up close. It's a subtle shift that may go unnoticed at first but can indicate a vision change.
You may hold your phone closer or remove your glasses during meals to read labels. The use of reading glasses can help restore clarity and reduce the need to constantly remove distance lenses.
Noticing Reading Challenges in Daily Life
Noticing reading challenges in daily life can be frustrating. Struggling with menus or medicine labels may signal signs of declining eyesight in seniors.
These small difficulties can greatly impact daily independence and comfort levels. Seniors must seek out help promptly and proactively. Early recognition of vision changes allows for timely solutions.
Utilizing supportive services helps address these needs and maintain quality of life. This can prevent further strain and keep daily activities enjoyable.
Reading glasses can make a big difference. They help seniors stay engaged and maintain an active Auburn senior lifestyle in their community without frustration or strain.
Experience a Vibrant Auburn Senior Lifestyle at Monarch Estates in Auburn, AL, Today
Answering the question, "How do you know if you need reading glasses?" isn't as complicated as it seems. Paying attention to changes in your vision helps answer this important question. Recognizing early signs of declining eyesight supports healthy aging and preserves your senior eye health.
Monarch Estates Senior Living, located in Auburn, AL, specializes in Independent Living with Supportive Services. Our community offers personalized care services and engaging activities. We provide Exclusive Programs designed to promote independence and enhance our residents' quality of life.
Contact Monarch Estates today for more information or to schedule a community tour.