How Often Does My Eye Prescription Change?

June 29, 2021

Your eye prescription, just like your vision, can change from childhood to adulthood. Whether you develop an eye condition, or the symptoms of your refractive error worsen, your eye prescription may change. How often the prescription changes, however, depends on several factors, such as the health of your eyes.

Glasses Prescriptions vs. Prescriptions for Contact Lenses

A prescription for contact lenses is not the same as one for eyeglasses. This is due to the distance of glasses versus the distance of contact lenses from the eyes. Both prescriptions, however, contain corrections for farsightedness, nearsightedness, or even for astigmatism.

Meaning of 20/20 Vision

People with 20/20 vision have normal visual clarity or acuity at a distance of 20 feet away. This, however, does not mean that they have perfect vision. It simply means that they can see clearly at a distance. Visual ability also measures color vision, focusing ability, peripheral vision, depth of perception, and eye coordination.

How Often Does an Eye Prescription Change?

Some people’s eye prescription changes every year. For others, however, it can take more than two or three years to change. The answer to this question, therefore, is that it varies depending on your specific condition.

Many people worry about changes in their vision. Your vision prescription may change due to many reasons. The first thing you need to understand is that your eyes change and grow along with your body. Therefore, vision changes can happen naturally. However, in certain situations, they can be a symptom of a more serious eye condition.

Age-Related Vision Changes

If your little one is nearsighted, for example, that problem can worsen as he or she gets older. Your child’s eyes will change and grow as he or she grows up. Nearsightedness, in particular, can develop as early as age six. Around ages 11 to 13, the problem will probably worsen, and it can continue to do so until the late teens or early 20s.

If your little one is farsighted, however, the problem could improve as he or she grows. Although this vision problem often happens in early childhood, it tends to improve around age nine when the eyes grow and learn to adjust.

From elementary school through to high school, your child may need a new prescription every year. Sometimes, he or she may need more than one prescription every year. This is why it is important to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year.

A qualified eye doctor will evaluate whether yours or your little one’s vision has changed. If it has, the doctor will prescribe new eyeglasses or contact lenses. It is also important to monitor your vision and your child’s vision throughout the year. This is because adults also experience changes to their vision as they age.

Is a Sudden Change in Your Eye Prescription Normal?

In most cases, a sudden change in prescription is not normal. However, it may feel like you are experiencing a sudden change if you disregard the annual eye exam. Sometimes, sudden changes are due to an eye condition. Without a comprehensive eye exam, it can be difficult to detect many eye diseases.

To learn more about changes in eye prescriptions, visit Eye Associates of New York at our office in Midtown East, New York. You can also call (212) 650-4888 today to book an appointment.