1. Blurry Vision at a Distance or Up Close
The most obvious sign that you need glasses is difficulty seeing clearly — either far away (nearsightedness/myopia) or up close (farsightedness/hyperopia). If road signs, TV screens, or text on your phone appear blurry, it's time to get your eyes checked.
2. Frequent Headaches
When your eyes work harder than they should to focus, the extra strain can trigger tension headaches — especially around the forehead and temples. If you regularly get headaches after reading, using a computer, or driving, your vision may be the cause.
3. Squinting to See Clearly
Squinting temporarily improves focus by reducing the amount of light entering the eye and narrowing the field of vision. If you find yourself squinting at screens, signs, or books, your eyes are telling you they need help.
4. Eye Strain and Fatigue
Tired, sore, or burning eyes after reading or screen time — known as eye strain or asthenopia — often indicate that your eyes are working overtime to compensate for a refractive error.
5. Difficulty Seeing at Night
Night vision problems, such as difficulty reading street signs after dark or being blinded by oncoming headlights, can signal myopia or early cataracts.
6. Holding Things Closer or Farther Away
If you find yourself holding your phone or a book at arm's length to read it, or bringing things very close to your face, this is a classic sign of presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) or hyperopia.
7. Double Vision
Seeing two images of a single object — double vision — can indicate astigmatism, a condition where the cornea or lens has an irregular curve. It can also signal more serious eye or neurological conditions that require prompt evaluation.
8. Difficulty Focusing When Switching Between Near and Far
If your eyes take a long time to adjust when you look from a close object to a distant one (or vice versa), this can indicate a focusing disorder that glasses can correct.
9. Covering One Eye to See Better
If you instinctively cover one eye to see more clearly, one eye may have significantly different vision from the other — a condition called anisometropia.
10. It Has Been Over a Year Since Your Last Eye Exam
Even if you have no obvious symptoms, vision can change gradually without you noticing. Adults should have a comprehensive eye exam at least every one to two years.
Take a Free Online Vision Screening
Not sure if your vision has changed? Take the VisionCheck free online eye test — it covers visual acuity, color blindness, astigmatism, and contrast sensitivity in just 5 minutes. If your results suggest a problem, we'll help you find a local optometrist or optical shop.
Sabroe Enterprise
VisionCheck Eye Health Team