3 Mistakes People Make When Buying Prescription Glasses for the First Time

A natural part of growing up and getting old is the gradual deterioration of your eyesight. You may find yourself holding the reading materials a bit further away than normal or a bit too close for your liking. While driving, you may have to squint your eyes to a slit that can give you a headache at the end of the day. 

The steady decline of your vision power is a sign indicating that you may have to visit an eye doctor. Under normal circumstances, it would be a refractive error, causing your visual acuity to get worse. Astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness are all common refractive errors. 

As a corrective measure, your physician usually prescribes eyeglasses or contact lenses. Maybe you never had to wear them up until then. But now that you have been advised to wear them, here are three mistakes that first-timers make that you need to know. These are common errors that you can avoid or pay attention to so that they can help your eyes. 

Take enough time to adjust and familiarize 

If you have just been diagnosed by your eye doctor with presbyopia or myopia, you may have been advised to wear prescription glasses. You can get your pair of prescription glasses in an hour from the time you place the order. Initially, your glasses may not seem to sit well with you. Perhaps your sight is still blurry, or it is too sharp. 

The occurrences mentioned above are very common among first-time wearers, and there is nothing to worry about. However, do not make the mistake of going back to the doctor thinking that there is still something wrong with you. When you are starting to wear glasses, it is natural not to immediately get visual clarity. 

What you are feeling when you wear your initial pair of glasses is that your eyes are getting used to it. This is known as the adjustment period. For those of you who have never used glasses before, your eyes are used to focusing on things by squinting. With the glasses, you no longer need to come close to the screen to read it. 

After wearing the glasses for a short while, your eyes will learn to focus on things without having to squint. With a corrected vision, you will be able to see far and near with the glasses on. Your eyes will then adjust to the new sensations and get used to the new surroundings. 

Take care of your vision and glasses 

Another mistake people make when buying prescription glasses for the first time is they think that only people with high prescription numbers need to wear glasses. This misconception can cost your eyesight to deteriorate rapidly. Even if you have been diagnosed with a minor refractive error, get a comprehensive exam. 

You may be tempted to buy reading glasses from the counter without ever visiting an optometrist because you think that can take care of the problem. It may save you time and money in the short term. However, it can have long-term repercussions. To correct your eyesight over time, you must see an ophthalmologist. 

Purchasing glasses without knowing your prescription level can contribute to eye strain causing blurry vision. The prolonged usage of those glasses can exacerbate your eye disorder instead of gradually correcting your vision. Furthermore, the lens may not be fitted correctly between your eyes, which needs to be handled by an expert. 

Make it a habit to wear your glasses consistently if you are a newbie, and do not be tempted to remove them or forget to put them on. Be sure to carry your glasses with you wherever you go because you might need them in certain situations. Try and avoid squinting, but instead, wear glasses for better sight. 

Consider adding special coatings to your glasses 

Many first-timers fail to look beyond the immediate need. Or they just shop around for the best frames that suit the face. While that is well and good, equally important is the lens. If you are going to wear your new glasses daily, you may want to consider putting coatings on the lenses. 

Adding a special coating can be beneficial in reducing reflections and glare and even shielding your eyes while looking at a computer screen or device for a long time. Talk to the optician or eye doctor to know what options are available. Consider your budget as well before you decide to invest in them. 

In some cases, coatings may not be suitable depending on your eye condition. That is why it is critical to consult an eye doctor about it. However, at least coatings that can protect your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun should make sense. That way, you can reduce the squinting when in the sun or while you are outdoors. 

Your new pair of eyeglasses does not have to be fancy. Rather, it should have the necessary qualities and accessories that can keep your eyes healthy. You may also want to consider special coatings that can protect you from the halo effect you see when you drive at night. Get the right lens coating by talking to your optometrist.