Does Wearing Glasses Make Your Eye Prescription Worse?

There is a common misconception that wearing glasses can make your eyes weaker over time. This myth has led to hesitations and misunderstandings about the use of corrective eyewear. However, it is important to dispel this notion and understand that wearing glasses does not cause your eyes to deteriorate. Let’s delve into the reasons why this myth exists and why it is simply not true.
 

The Myth’s Origins

The myth that wearing glasses can make your eyes worse may stem from two common associations. The first scenario involves individuals who have never worn glasses before and believe they see “just fine.” When they start wearing glasses and experience improved vision, they realize that their previous vision was actually compromised. Consequently, without glasses, their vision no longer feels “just fine.” In reality, the glasses are not causing any changes to their eyes but rather raising their awareness of their visual limitations.

The second scenario relates to the natural aging process. As people reach their forties, many experience presbyopia, a condition that affects the eye’s ability to focus on close objects. Reading glasses typically become necessary at this stage. Over time, individuals may rely more heavily on their reading glasses as age-related changes in the eye progress. However, it is important to note that this is a natural part of aging and not caused by wearing glasses.
 

Understanding Eye Health

To address the myth, it is essential to understand how your eyes work and the concept of refractive errors. Refractive errors refer to vision problems caused by the shape of the eye, leading to difficulties in focusing light onto the retina. These errors include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism.

When you wear glasses, the lenses correct the refractive errors and allow light to focus properly on the retina, resulting in clear vision. Glasses do not alter the eye’s physical shape, structure, or function. They simply compensate for any deficiencies in the eye’s ability to focus light. Wearing glasses does not worsen or improve your underlying refractive errors or change the shape of your eyes in any way.

In fact, wearing glasses can have numerous benefits. They provide clear vision, reduce eye strain, and improve overall visual comfort and quality of life. If you have been prescribed glasses, it is important to wear them as directed by your eye care professional to ensure optimal vision correction.
 

Seek Professional Eye Care

While wearing glasses does not cause your eyes to weaken, it is crucial to prioritize regular eye examinations to monitor your eye health. Eye care professionals can detect any changes in your vision, update your prescription if necessary, and identify potential eye conditions that require attention.

Additionally, maintaining overall eye health involves adopting healthy habits such as wearing UV-protective sunglasses, practicing good eye hygiene, eating a nutritious diet, and avoiding excessive digital screen time.

For any questions about how often, when, or where to wear your glasses, talk with your eye doctor who can explain anything thoroughly and accurately.

Our eye doctor at Local Eyes Optometry in New Braunfels, TX excels in the prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrist at (830) 627-9272 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to learn more about wearing glasses and how it does not make your eye worse. Our eye doctor, Dr. Marcus Page, provides the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in New Braunfels, Texas.