How Often Do You Need to Replace Your Eyeglasses?
Eyeglasses are crucial to maintaining clear vision, so it’s not uncommon to need a new pair every couple of years. However, the frequency you might need to replace your eyeglasses will depend on various factors. During your regular optometrist visit, they will perform subjective refraction, where we determine the prescription of your eyeglasses.
During this test, we will use a phoropter to measure how well you can see at various distances. We will then determine what changes you need to make in your prescription. Following are some reasons that you might need to replace your eyeglasses.
Damage
One of the common reasons why people need to replace their eyeglasses is because they have experienced significant damage. Damage could include a broken lens, scratched lens, faded lenses, or broken frames. To protect the frames from wear, purchase some eyeglass cases.
New Technology
New lenses and frames are being released all the time. As such, eyeglass lenses can become outdated within a few years. However, if you are wearing an eyeglass style that is out of style or hasn’t been produced for a while now, it may not be worth it to replace your eyeglasses.
In addition, technology comes with advancements in lens coatings. Anti-reflective coating, scratch-resistant coating, and polarization are available for most lenses. If your eyeglasses do not have these features, it might be worth upgrading to newer lenses to prevent visual difficulties such as glare and ghosting.
Significant Change in Vision
If there is a significant change in your vision, you might need to consult your optometrist regarding whether you need a new pair of eyeglasses. Your optometrist will advise you as they may set up a new appointment, examine you to determine whether your vision has changed significantly, and recommend whether it’s time to get new glasses.
Style and Comfort
Eyeglasses come in various shapes and sizes. If you’re not happy with your current glasses, it may be worth purchasing new eyeglasses that will fit you better. Additionally, if you find that your glasses become uncomfortable after wearing them for a while, it may be time to get some new ones. Similarly, if an eyeglass style has become outdated or doesn’t fit well with your aesthetic anymore, you may want to upgrade to something more fashionable.
Frequent Repairs
While eyeglasses may be functional for several years without malfunctioning, sometimes eyeglass frames need minor repairs or adjustments. This could include replacing broken screws or replacing a scratched lens or broken frame. If you have experienced frequent repairs to your eyeglasses, it may be time to upgrade to newer glasses.
Prescription Changes
Many people overlook the fact that their prescriptions can change over time. As your eyes age and your prescription changes, you might need a new pair of lenses. This could be due to a change in one eye or both eyes changing at the same time.
Generally, if there is only a slight difference between each eye’s prescription, you will likely only need to replace one lens in your current glasses. However, if there is a significant difference between the prescriptions for each eye, it might be worth replacing both lenses in your eyeglasses.
Ultimately, how often you need to replace your glasses will depend on your style and preferences. For instance, if you’re pleased with your current eyeglass style and don’t mind replacing it every few years unless they get damaged. However, if you want a more fashionable style or a more functional lens coating, it may be worth the cost of buying new glasses. In any case, it is essential to remember that you need to consult your optometrist regarding your glasses.
