An old eye prescription can lead to headaches. This issue arises because your eyes and brain work harder to compensate for uncorrected vision. While an outdated prescription does not damage the eyes, it can cause discomfort and impact daily activities.
How Outdated Prescriptions Strain Your Eyes
When an eye prescription is inaccurate, the visual system overworks to achieve clear vision. This effort involves the ciliary muscles, which adjust the lens to focus light onto the retina. An incorrect prescription forces these muscles to strain, leading to fatigue and a dull ache or pressure around the eyes.
The brain also plays a role, trying to interpret and fuse blurry or distorted images. This cognitive load contributes to eye strain. Extraocular muscles, controlling eye movement and alignment, may also work harder to maintain coordination, especially when viewing objects at different distances.
The cumulative effect of overworked muscles and the brain’s compensatory efforts can trigger headaches. These are often felt in the forehead or temples, occurring later in the day, particularly after extended periods of visually demanding tasks like reading or computer use.
Beyond Headaches: Other Signs of an Outdated Prescription
While headaches are a frequent indicator, other signs suggest an outdated eye prescription. Blurred or distorted vision is a direct clue, with objects appearing fuzzy or unclear, whether up close or far away. This blurriness can be constant or intermittent, signaling current lenses no longer provide adequate correction.
Eye fatigue or soreness is a common symptom, as eyes tire from continuous focus. Squinting frequently to sharpen vision, which temporarily alters light entering the eye, is also common. Difficulty with night driving, increased light sensitivity, or dizziness can also point to an inadequate prescription. If these symptoms appear, it indicates time for an eye examination.
Steps to Address an Outdated Prescription
Addressing an outdated eye prescription begins with a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist. Experts recommend adults have a full eye exam at least every two years, with annual checks for some individuals.
During this appointment, the eye doctor performs a refraction test to precisely measure the prescription needed for corrective lenses. This test involves looking through a phoropter while the doctor switches lenses, asking which provides clearer vision.
The refraction test results indicate the specific lens strengths required for optimal clarity, often aiming for 20/20 vision.
Once an updated prescription is determined, new glasses or contact lenses can alleviate eye and brain strain, reducing headaches and other uncomfortable symptoms. Seeing clearly with the correct prescription significantly improves daily comfort and overall visual performance.