Menu Do I need glasses? Nine signs to look out for Your vision can change throughout your life, and though you may not wear glasses now, you might need them at some point. If you’re not sure whether you need glasses, we’re here to help with some common signs to look out for that may mean you’d benefit from wearing glasses. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we mention, or you’ve noticed a sudden change in your vision, we suggest booking an eye test with your local optician to get your vision checked. Signs you need glasses Common signs you might need glasses include: 1 Difficulty focusing on objects up-close, for example when reading 2 Holding things further away to read small print 3 Difficulty seeing objects in the distance 4 Blurry, fuzzy or distorted vision 5 Double vision 6 Headaches, eye strain, or visual fatigue, particularly when using screens 7 Squinting or narrowing your eyes to see things more clearly 8 Trouble seeing or driving at night 9 Trouble adjusting your vision between various distances Test your vision with some examples below Normal vision Impaired vision Difficulty focusing on objects up-close As working from home has become more common, we’ve all been focusing on close objects like computer screens and notepads far more than usual. Normal vision Impaired vision Difficulty seeing objects in the distance It may be that your vision for close objects is good, but you struggle when you look into the distance. For reference, you should be able to focus on something at least 20 feet away from you without any difficulty. Normal vision Impaired vision Double vision Different from blurred vision, double vision occurs when you attempt to look at one object, but end up seeing two. For example, if you go to pick up your pen but see two, or the picture is doubled when you’re watching TV. Holding things further away to read small print If you struggle to focus on text up-close, then you may find yourself moving the paper or your phone screen further away to help your eyes focus on the small print. Headaches, eye strain, or visual fatigue particularly when using screens It can be difficult for your eyes to focus for prolonged periods of time on screens. Working from home or even watching TV for hours without any breaks can cause the eyes to become strained or fatigued, resulting in blurred vision or headaches. Blurry, fuzzy or distorted vision Alternatively, you may not have a particular issue with up-close or distance vision, but find it difficult to focus your vision more generally. Squinting or narrowing your eyes to see things more clearly Much like trying to hold things further away to help your vision, squinting or narrowing your eyes is another method people often use to help them see when they’re having difficulty focusing. Trouble seeing and driving at night Seeing at night is usually a little more difficult for everyone, as the lack of light makes it more difficult for your eyes to focus. Low-light conditions can also exacerbate an existing eyesight problem, making it even more difficult for your eyes to adjust correctly, even with streetlights. Trouble adjusting your vision between various distances Even if you can clearly focus on far distances and up-close objects, you might struggle when switching between the two. Book an eye test Types of vision problems If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, it may be the result of a vision problem. Here are some common eye conditions that may be causing issues with your eyesight — but not to worry, all these can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses: Near-sightedness Myopia (more commonly known as near-sightedness or short-sightedness) is when a person can see more clearly when looking at objects up-close, but has difficulty when looking far away. This may mean that you can read from your phone just fine, but seeing things like the television is tricky, or a road sign in the distance may appear blurry when driving. You can learn more about it on our myopia page. Far-sightedness Hyperopia (or more commonly, far-sightedness or long-sightedness) is when a person has clearer vision when looking into the distance but struggles to focus on close objects such as a phone, computer screen, or book. To find out more, visit our page on long-sightedness. Astigmatism Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of your eye’s cornea or lens — with the shape being more like a rugby ball than the ideal football shape. It’s extremely common and nothing to worry about. As a result, light is unevenly distributed across the eye, often making your vision blurry, alongside other symptoms such as headaches and eye strain. Astigmatism usually happens alongside myopia or hyperopia — to learn more, visit our astigmatism page. Presbyopia Presbyopia is a normal part of ageing. After the age of 40, you may begin to notice changes in your near vision, and things that used to appear clear will become blurry and more difficult to focus on. Other symptoms of presbyopia include finding it difficult to read small print and having to hold things further away to see them clearly. Find out more on our presbyopia page. Noticed a change in your eyesight? If you’ve noticed a recent change in your eyesight, are experiencing any of the associated symptoms, or are just unsure whether you might need glasses, book an eye test with your local optician to get your vision checked. You can find lots more information about other common eye conditions here. Why do I need an eye test? Find out more Your store visit explained Find out more Check your eligibility for NHS eye test Find out more Browse Services COVID-19 Information About © Specsavers 2021 Legal policies Privacy policy International sites Modern Slavery Act 21.10.3 To provide you with a better service, we use cookies on our pages. By using this site, you agree to our Cookie Policy. OK