According to the World Health Organization, around 2.2 billion people worldwide have distance or near vision impairment. Most of these people are above the age of 50.

For seniors in Charlotte, North Carolina, it’s not uncommon to experience vision changes that affect your ability to read and carry out daily activities. The good news is that you can get this fixed by getting reading glasses.

So, when do you need reading glasses? Let’s look at the signs you should look out for.

When Do You Need Reading Glasses? Eye Discomfort in Various Environments

As a senior in an assisted living community in Charlotte, NC, you may experience irritation or eye discomfort in smoky or dusty areas. This may indicate that you need vision correction for an underlying eye sensitivity issue. Allergies or dry eye syndrome can make your eyes more susceptible to environmental triggers.

An optometrist will prescribe the appropriate reading glasses to avoid discomfort and improve your vision.

You Notice Blurry Vision

Blurry vision is the first sign that you need reading assistance for seniors. Most people encounter blurry vision as they age, a condition called presbyopia.

This condition begins gradually around middle age. It occurs when the eye’s natural lens loses its flexibility over time, which makes it difficult to adjust between different distances. This makes various tasks like reading difficult.

There isn’t a cure for presbyopia symptoms; however, the condition can be treated with specialty multifocal lenses or reading glasses.

Regular Headaches

If you’re experiencing frequent headaches, especially after performing tasks or reading, it may be a sign that you require reading glasses. A headache often indicates a developing problem. If it occurs every time you use your eyes for detailed work like writing or reading, it means your eyes are losing their strength.

This is normal for older adults in assisted living communities in Charlotte, NC. Instead of using medication for pain relief each time you have a headache, try seeking senior eye care.

You Experience Frequent Eye Strain

Sometimes, you may feel like your eyes are sore, strained, or tired. Eye strain is common after focusing on something for an extended period. This may include working on a computer, watching movies on TV, reading, or looking at a close-up of detailed work.

Some symptoms that may indicate you have eye strain include the following:

Light sensitivity
Discomfort in the eyes
Sore neck and shoulders as a result of poor posture
Difficulty focusing

Eye strain also causes dry eye syndrome, in which your eyes don’t produce enough tears. This leads to less moisture on the eye’s surface, causing irritation, discomfort, and vision changes when aging. Eye strain often indicates that your eyes are working harder than they should.

To avoid more serious vision problems, seniors in TerraBella Little Avenue should consider getting reading glasses.

You Find It Difficult to See Clearly at Night

Poor night vision, a condition known as nyctalopia, indicates that you require reading assistance for seniors. Nyctalopia is often recognized by not seeing clearly at night or in low-light conditions.

Some of the common causes of poor night vision include the following:

Diabetes
Glaucoma
Cataracts
A refractive error worsening

Among the most common causes of nyctalopia are age-related changes that affect your eyes. If you find it difficult to see in low-light conditions, it’s time to visit your optometrist for an eye exam and to get reading glasses.

Seeing Halos

As eyes age, they start losing their ability to focus light on the retina. This leads to fuzzy vision or blurred focus. You may start seeing a halo effect, especially when you look at lightbulbs or headlights.

Getting reading glasses is likely to correct this problem. However, you’ll need to visit an eye doctor near you to identify whether you have a more serious eye issue, such as cataracts.

You Notice a Change in Reading Habits

If you start holding books at arm’s length to read comfortably, you most likely need reading glasses. Additionally, if you need to take regular breaks after performing detailed tasks, it may indicate that your eyes are starting to lose their strength. Getting reading glasses is wise to avoid straining your eyes and causing even more serious issues.

Changes in Color Perception

As you grow older, you may notice some colors appearing washed out, faded, or difficult to differentiate between shades. These changes in color perception may indicate a vision problem.

Visit an eye care professional to evaluate color vision deficiency or other issues affecting your ability to differentiate colors. Reading glasses can also help in appropriate management.

Frequent Accidents

Experiencing accidents or bumping into objects can indicate difficulty judging distances or poor depth perception. These issues may be a result of unresolved vision changes in seniors.

If you notice you’re clumsier than usual, it’s time to assess your eyesight. This helps in spatial awareness and improves overall quality of life.

Changes in Eye Appearance

Unusual changes in eye appearance, including discharge, swelling, redness, or bulging, can be warning signs of inflammation, eye disease, and other eye issues. If you experience any of these symptoms, it may be time to seek treatment and evaluation from an eye care expert. You’ll need reading glasses to resolve the issue.

Gradual or Sudden Loss of Vision

Sudden or gradual loss of vision in one or both eyes could indicate a serious eye health issue that requires prompt treatment. Eye diseases such as macular degeneration and retinal detachment likely cause permanent vision loss if not treated early enough.

Getting reading glasses can help correct vision loss and ensure assisted living wellness.

Get Quality Senior Care at TerraBella Little Avenue

Vision changes in aging are common, especially among seniors in assisted living communities. If you’re wondering, ‘When do you need reading glasses?’, the signs above should guide you. Visit your eye care professional to get a pair of reading glasses to see clearly and comfortably.

At TerraBella Little Avenue, we provide a convenient and comfortable lifestyle for you or your loved ones, offering amenities such as a game room, library, and scenic walking paths. We have dedicated and loyal team members who are always available to assist residents with vision problems.