Vision can change gradually, which means you may not immediately realise that your glasses or contact lens prescription is no longer giving you the clarity you need. Instead, you might notice small signs that your eyes are working harder throughout the day.

Here are a few common warning signs that it may be time to book an eye test.

Frequent Headaches

Do you regularly develop a headache after reading, working on your computer or concentrating for long periods? An incorrect or outdated prescription may force your eyes to work harder to bring objects into focus. Headaches and difficulty focusing are recognised symptoms of refractive errors, especially when they are accompanied by visual discomfort.

Blurred or Hazy Vision

Blurred vision is one of the most common signs that your prescription may have changed. You might struggle to read road signs, recognise faces from a distance or focus clearly on text in front of you. Astigmatism can also make objects appear blurry or distorted at both near and far distances.

Tired or Strained Eyes

If your eyes regularly feel tired, sore or uncomfortable by the end of the day, they may be working harder than they should. Eye strain can occur when your eyes struggle to maintain clear focus, particularly while reading or using digital screens. The National Eye Institute lists tired or sore eyes, headaches and focusing difficulties among the possible symptoms of refractive errors.

Difficulty Seeing Clearly at Night

An outdated prescription may become more noticeable when driving at night. Streetlights and oncoming headlights may appear blurry, or you may notice glare and halos around bright lights. Low-light conditions can make problems caused by an uncorrected prescription more noticeable, while glare and halos are also recognised symptoms of refractive errors.

Do Not Ignore the Signs

These symptoms do not always mean that you simply need stronger lenses. Blurred vision, headaches and changes in night vision can have several possible causes, which is why a comprehensive eye examination is important. An eye test can determine whether your prescription has changed while also checking the overall health of your eyes.

When you walk through our doors at Van der Walt Optometrists, we take the time to understand how your vision affects your work, lifestyle and everyday comfort. If your glasses no longer feel quite right, book an eye test and let us help you see clearly again.

Important: Seek urgent medical or optometric assistance if your vision changes suddenly or is accompanied by severe eye pain, significant redness, flashes, loss of vision or a severe headache.