Your glasses might still fit your face perfectly—but do they still fit your vision?
Over time, your eyes change. Maybe you’ve noticed that reading signs across the street isn’t as easy as it used to be, or that you get tired faster when using screens. These subtle shifts could mean your glasses are no longer doing their job.
So, how often should you actually update your prescription? And what signs should you watch for?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how often to get your glasses prescription updated, how to recognize if it’s time for a change, and why regular check-ins with your optician can make all the difference in your daily comfort and long-term eye health.
Why It’s Important to Keep Your Prescription Up to Date
Wearing glasses with an outdated prescription isn’t just inconvenient—it can quietly affect your well-being.
When your lenses no longer match your current vision, your eyes have to work harder to compensate. That extra effort can lead to symptoms like eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, especially after long periods of reading, driving, or screen time.
Even more importantly, vision that isn’t corrected properly can affect your safety. Blurry vision while driving or navigating unfamiliar places puts you—and others—at risk. If you're struggling to read traffic signs, judge distances, or feel confident on the road, your prescription might be due for a refresh.
And for those with progressive conditions like myopia or presbyopia, small changes can add up. Keeping your prescription up to date ensures you're always seeing your best—and protecting your eyes from unnecessary stress.
How Often Do You Really Need a New Glasses Prescription?
General Guidelines for Adults
For most adults, updating your glasses prescription every 1 to 2 years is a good rule of thumb. This aligns with the typical schedule for comprehensive eye exams, which often reveal slight shifts in vision even if you haven’t noticed them yet.
If your vision has been stable and you’re not experiencing symptoms, a two-year interval may be fine. But if you notice changes, it’s worth checking in sooner.
People with specific vision conditions—like high myopia, astigmatism, or eye health issues—may need updates more frequently. The same goes for anyone working long hours in front of screens or spending a lot of time driving.
Related: How Often Should You Have an Eye Exam?
Not sure how often you should get your eyes checked in general?
→ Read our full guide on How Often Should You Have an Eye Exam?, including age-based recommendations and tips for staying on top of your eye health.
6 Signs Your Glasses Prescription Might Be Outdated
Even if you’re not due for a routine eye exam, your eyes might be telling you it’s time for an update. Here are six common signs your current prescription may no longer be right for you:
1. Blurry or Double Vision
If once-sharp details—like street signs or subtitles—are now fuzzy, or if images appear doubled, your prescription may need adjusting.
2. Frequent Headaches
Tension around your forehead or temples, especially after reading or screen time, could signal that your eyes are straining to compensate for outdated lenses.
3. Eye Fatigue or Discomfort
Dry, tired eyes after a full day of work (or even after a short time) might mean your glasses aren’t supporting your current visual needs.
4. Squinting More Than Usual
Squinting is your eyes’ natural way of trying to focus. If you catch yourself doing it often, it's a sign your lenses aren't doing enough.
5. Difficulty Seeing at Night
Struggling with glare, halos around lights, or general poor night vision can indicate that your prescription is no longer accurate.
6. Holding Objects Closer or Farther Away
If you’re adjusting your phone, book, or monitor distance more often than usual, it’s a clue your visual range has shifted.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to book an appointment—even if you’re not “due” yet. Your comfort and clarity shouldn’t wait.
What Happens If You Wear the Wrong Prescription?
It might not seem like a big deal at first—just a little blur here, a bit of squinting there. But wearing glasses with the wrong prescription can have real consequences over time.
● Increased Eye Strain
Your eyes work overtime to compensate for lenses that aren’t right. This can cause fatigue, tension headaches, and discomfort—especially during screen-heavy days or long reading sessions.
● Poor Focus and Concentration
Struggling to see clearly can sap your mental energy. Tasks that require precision—like reading, driving, or working on a computer—become more difficult, and your productivity may take a hit.
● Safety Risks While Driving
Outdated prescriptions can impair your depth perception and reaction time. That’s especially dangerous while driving at night or in unfamiliar areas.
● Worsening of Vision Problems (Indirectly)
While wearing the wrong prescription won’t “damage” your eyes, it can mask changes in your vision or underlying conditions that need attention. Skipping updates means missing out on early detection.
Your glasses should support you—not hold you back. If you’re relying on lenses that no longer match your vision, it’s time to reassess.
Special Considerations for Children and Older Adults
Vision doesn’t stay still—especially at the beginning and end of life. If you’re caring for a child or are approaching your senior years, it’s important to stay proactive about prescription updates.
For Children: Rapid Changes as Eyes Grow
Children’s eyes develop quickly, and their vision can shift from year to year.
A child may not always recognize or articulate that they’re struggling to see clearly, which makes regular eye exams—and timely prescription updates—essential.
Signs to watch for include:
Squinting or rubbing eyes frequently
Holding books or screens too close
Falling behind in school or avoiding reading
Most optometrists recommend that school-aged kids have their eyes checked annually.
For Older Adults: Age-Related Vision Changes
As we age, presbyopia, cataracts, and other conditions can change how well we see.
If you’re 60 or older, vision may change more frequently—sometimes subtly, sometimes noticeably.
Regular check-ins ensure that:
Reading glasses or progressives stay accurate
New issues (like glaucoma or macular degeneration) are caught early
Comfort and safety—especially while driving—are maintained
Updating Your Glasses Without Changing Frames
Love your current frames? Good news—you might not need to replace them when updating your prescription.
In many cases, you can keep your existing frames and just get new lenses, as long as the frames are still in good condition.
This can save money and let you hold on to a style you love.
However, you may need new frames if:
– Your prescription has changed significantly
– The frames are damaged or misaligned
– The new lenses don’t fit well in your current frame
Not sure what’s possible?
Ask your optician—they can check your frames and recommend the best option.
When in Doubt, Talk to Your Optician
No online search or article (even this one!) can fully replace the advice of a licensed optician who knows your eyes and lifestyle.
If you’re unsure whether your glasses are still doing their job, the best step is to book a consultation. Your optician can:
Check for changes in your vision
Review your current prescription and frames
Discuss your lifestyle and visual needs (e.g. screen use, driving, reading)
Recommend lens options that improve clarity, comfort, and long-term eye health
Even if your vision seems “okay,” small adjustments can make a big difference. You might not notice how much you’ve been compensating—until you experience clear, effortless vision again.
Ready to See the Difference?
If it’s been over a year since your last prescription check—or you’re noticing signs your vision isn’t as sharp as it used to be—it’s time to take action.
At Chinook Optical, we’re here to help you see clearly and comfortably every day. Our experienced opticians take the time to understand your vision needs, assess your current eyewear, and recommend lenses that truly fit your life.