How Do I Know If I Need Glasses?
A Clinical Guide to the Signs, Causes, and When to See an Optometrist?
Vision Is a Reflection of Your Health
Your vision is one of the most vital senses, and changes in eyesight can happen so gradually that many people don’t notice until their quality of life is affected. Refractive errors—the most common reason for needing glasses—can impair productivity, learning, safety, and even lead to eye strain-related headaches.
In Dubai, where we are exposed daily to digital screens, UV rays, and dry, dusty air, it’s even more important to monitor your eye health regularly.
So, how do you know if you need glasses? Let’s look at the clinical signs, causes, and how a proper eye examination can help.
What Are Refractive Errors?
Glasses are primarily prescribed to correct refractive errors—conditions where light entering the eye does not focus correctly on the retina. The most common types include:
- Myopia (Nearsightedness) – Clear vision up close, blurry at distance
- Hyperopia (Farsightedness) – Clear at distance, blurry up close
- Astigmatism – Uneven curvature of the cornea or lens, causing distorted or blurred vision
- Presbyopia – Age-related loss of near focus, usually noticeable after age 40
Refractive errors are not diseases but optical imperfections. They can only be diagnosed through a refraction test performed by an optometrist.
Top Clinical Signs You May Need Glasses
- Blurry Vision
Myopia makes it difficult to read road signs or see distant objects clearly.
Hyperopia causes eye strain during reading or near work.
Astigmatism can cause blur at all distances and may lead to ghost images or halos.
- Eye Strain (Asthenopia)
Prolonged focusing effort, especially during reading or screen use, leads to burning, soreness, or tired eyes.
This is often due to uncorrected refractive errors or accommodative stress.
- Headaches
Visual headaches often stem from overuse of the ciliary muscles (the muscles that focus the lens).
Frontal and temporal headaches after screen time may indicate an incorrect or missing prescription.
- Squinting
Squinting slightly reduces the size of the blurred image and improves focus temporarily.
It is a compensatory behavior, often seen in children with undiagnosed vision problems.
- Poor Night Vision
Early signs of myopia, cataracts, or vitamin A deficiency may cause glare, halos, or reduced contrast sensitivity in low light.
What Causes the Need for Glasses?
- Genetic Factors
Many refractive errors are inherited. If your parents wear glasses, you’re more likely to need them.
- Prolonged Near Work & Screen Time
Increased screen use, especially in children and teens, has been linked to myopia progression due to reduced outdoor exposure and excessive accommodation (eye focusing).
- Aging
Around age 40, presbyopia naturally occurs due to reduced elasticity of the lens.
This condition requires reading glasses or progressive lenses.
- Environmental Stressors
UV exposure can damage the lens and retina over time.
Dry air and AC use contribute to dry eyes and eye fatigue.
Dust and sand particles may cause irritation, increasing blinking or squinting.
How Is the Need for Glasses Diagnosed?
A comprehensive eye exam includes:
Visual Acuity Test – Measures clarity of vision
Autorefraction & Retinoscopy – Estimates your prescription
Subjective Refraction – Fine-tunes the lens power based on your feedback
Binocular Vision Testing – Evaluates eye coordination and focus
Lens Power Verification – Ensures your current glasses (if any) still meet your vision needs.
While we do not offer medical diagnostic tools like slit lamp examination or glaucoma screening (intraocular pressure check), we refer patients to ophthalmologists or hospitals if any abnormalities are suspected during the eye test.
How Often Should You Check Your Eyes? Check our blog for this content How Often Should You Get an Eye Test? A Scientific Guide to Eye Health –
Children & Teens (3–18): Every 1–2 years or as advised
Adults (19–40): Every 2 years, or sooner if symptoms occur
Adults 40+: Every 1–2 years to monitor presbyopia, cataracts, and retinal health or as advised
At-Risk Patients: (e.g., diabetics, those with family history of glaucoma) – Annually or as advised
Why Physical Try-On Matters – Even with Online Shopping
While online shopping is convenient, glasses must fit your face shape, pupil distance (PD), and lens height. Improper fit leads to:
Eye fatigue
Blurry vision
Headaches
Poor aesthetics or discomfort
We offer an online consultation with real-time assistance from our licensed optometrist, but we always recommend a physical try-on at our Deira optical shop for best results. Shop –
Conclusion: Don’t Wait Until It Gets Worse
If you’re experiencing blurry vision, headaches, eye strain, or difficulty focusing, it’s time to get your eyes checked. At [Your Shop Name], we provide free eye tests and guide you through selecting the right prescription lenses.
Your eyes deserve expert care—don’t guess, test.
Book your free eye test in Deira, Dubai today and discover clear vision with comfort and confidence. Contact Us –