Key Takeaways
- Most glasses prescriptions stay valid for 1–2 years, though your needs can shift sooner.
- Blurry vision, headaches, and squinting often signal it’s time to get your prescription checked.
- Kids, adults, and older adults should each follow different exam schedules.
- Screen time, health conditions, and family history can speed up vision changes.
- Eyestyle Eyecare offers eye exams and frames in South Surrey and Kelowna.
Your Prescription Needs Regular Updates
You slip on your glasses, and the world still looks a little soft around the edges. Words on your phone seem fuzzier than they did last year.
Most glasses prescriptions last 1–2 years, but you should book an eye exam sooner if your vision feels off or your daily comfort changes. Your eyes shift over time, and an outdated prescription can leave your eyes strained. At Eyestyle Eyecare, we can check your vision and update your lenses with a comprehensive eye exam.
How Long Does a Glasses Prescription Last?
A glasses prescription in British Columbia is typically valid for 1–2 years. After that, the numbers on your prescription may no longer match what your eyes need.
Your age and daily habits play a role too. A child’s eyes can change quickly during growth spurts, while an adult who spends 8 hours at a screen might notice strain creeping in faster than expected.
Our team recommends that you get your prescription checked when your vision feels different, even if your prescription technically hasn’t expired.
Signs Your Prescription Needs an Update
Certain signs point to a prescription that’s fallen out of step with your vision:
- Blurry or fluctuating vision, even with your glasses on
- Frequent headaches or eye strain after normal tasks
- Squinting to read text or focus on faces across a room
Blurry vision doesn’t always point to your prescription. Sometimes, dry eyes can cause blurry vision by disrupting your tear film.
Subtle Changes to Watch For
Some shifts in your vision are quieter and easy to brush off. You might blame tiredness or bad lighting when your eyes are actually asking for help. Pay attention to:
- Trouble seeing clearly during night driving
- Tired, aching eyes after time in front of a screen
- Holding your phone or a book closer or farther than usual
If these sound familiar, a fresh exam can pinpoint what changed with your vision.
How Often Should Different Age Groups Get Eye Exams?
Kids and Teens
Children’s eyes develop fast, and a small vision problem can make reading or schoolwork harder than it should be. Yearly checks help catch changes early so that kids can see the front of the classroom and read without struggling. Here’s the recommended schedule for children’s eye exams:
- The first exam should happen at about 6 months of age
- Preschool years: 1 exam between ages 2 and 5
- School years: Annual exams for school age children (6–18)
Adults and Professionals
If your day revolves around screens, your eyes work hard. Regular exams help you stay on top of strain and keep your prescription matched to how you actually use your eyes.
- Adults under 65 should have an eye exam every 2 years
- Adults 65 and older should have yearly eye exams
What Affects How Fast Your Eyes Change?
Two people the same age may need to update their prescriptions at very different rates. A few factors explain why your eyes might change faster than someone else’s, including:
- Health conditions like diabetes, which can affect vision over time
- Family history and genetics that influence how your eyes develop
If you live with diabetes, regular diabetic eye exams allow our team to watch for changes that may affect your vision.
Where to Get an Eye Exam in Surrey and Kelowna
Finding care close to home makes it easier to keep up with regular eye checks. However, an eye exam is only part of the experience. You can also browse our fashionable frames and sunglasses and refresh your look with glasses you enjoy wearing.
Our Surrey optometrists and Kelowna optometrists at Eyestyle Eyecare combine careful exams with frames that suit your style. Book your visit today and give your eyes the attention they’ve been asking for.
