When do I have to start wearing glasses (vs when big name opticians say I do)

[bluekingfisher]

I always feel the opticians are hard selling me glasses after I go in there for a test. My eye sight has changed -0.25 since two years ago and isn’t bad enough to need glasses for driving etc. I have astigmatism that the optician has said is pretty bad. I have had most of my life and think my eyes have accommodated it naturally so I can see well, can see small text from a distance. I don’t have any symptoms around this day to day.

I believe I can see reasonably without glasses
but the opticians said I would ideally be wearing them all the time. So I don’t know if I should get glasses or not. Ideally I don’t want the faff of them unless I actually need them

My eye sight is similar to yours and I wear mine full time. You stop noticing them entirely after the first day or two so it's hardly a faff. I put mine on first thing in the morning and take them off just before I sleep.

I found I had way less headaches and a bit more energy once I started wearing them. While I could see and read tiny text it was taking more effort than it does with my glasses.

I'd highly recommend getting an inexpensive pair and trying them out for a couple of weeks to see if you notice any difference. I really thought I didn't need them but I'm glad I gave in and started wearing them.

I’ve had glasses for the last three years but I very rarely wear them as it’s only when I’m super tired and it’s night time/ dark that I feel I need that extra bit of assistance. The optician insists I need them all the time, but I just don’t.

ultimately, you make the judgement but have them to hand for things like driving

Why not wear contacts? I agree glasses are a faff, but they aren’t the only option.

Why not get the cheapest possible pair and try them out? I have a very low prescription but definitely notice less tiredness when I wear them to work on the computer (I also have astigmatism)

But surely your eyes are wearing out by constantly over compensating to correct your vision? That can’t be good for the long term?

My opticians have been really good about saying that my eyesight is getting worse but I don’t need glasses yet (or I can get them if I want them but he doesn’t think they’re necessary unless I do).

So I’d probably trust them when they tell me I should start wearing them all the time. And they are a big name opticians too.

Thanks. There is no way I could wear contacts I can’t even put eye drops in my eyes I find it hard to put anything near my eyes like that. I also hate the weight of anything on my nose (including sunglasses) and noticed the cheap glasses were quite heavy.

I don’t get headaches or notice my eye sight being bad. I am 40 and had astigmatism since a dc so I’m assuming it can’t be too bad.

This was the first time my eye sight has changed enough to be told something about it though. Good to know maybe they’re just advising me rather than pressuring me though! Felt really pressured.

If you don't trust them then go to another opticians for a second opinion. But from my experience, if they said you need to wear glasses then you need to wear them

I'd give it a try with cheap ones and maybe not full time but I sympathise because I am a lifelong glasses-avoider (have worn contacts all my adult life). I do think they are a faff, they get in the way, get dirty, steam up etc.

Is the big name the 'Should have gone to ...' one?
If it is, go to a different optician.

Definitely get a second opinion. But also worth remembering that most people's eyesight starts to deteriorate around 40 ish.

I first got glasses about 4 years ago when my eyesight was a similar prescription. At first, it was entirely optional if I wore them or not although I did find my eyes got tired if I was using a computer all day without them.
Years 2 & 3 were similar.
Now, I can’t read cooking instructions, a menu or most books without them and wear my varifocals most of the time.

Seems odd to actively go for an eye test (which isn’t mandatory) and then dispute the outcome.

Do you do the same at the dentist?

@ObliviousCoalmine yes I go every two years to both for a general check up?

So someone who is an expert in eye health is advising you what you need to do about your eye health but you don't want to take their advice
okey doke

Your eyes don't just 'accommodate' astigmatism. It's caused by the physical shape of your eye. You don't just overcome it through willpower. Your eye physically cannot create a clear image - any more than a distorted glass lens can.

And then ignore/dispute what they’re saying? Why go?

The opticians make their money selling the spectacles.
If my dentist suggested something I didn't need, I'd probably not agree to it.

Then get the prescription and buy your glasses online/somewhere cheaper. You’re not locked into buying from the same optician.

Seems peculiar to be told you have specific requirements and then ignore them, you can’t fix an astigmatism with stubbornness 🤷‍♀️

You don't know what you couldn't see until you can see it.

Go to Primark, Poundland or B&M or anywhere else that sells cheapo reading glasses. Try some on and see what you think.

I've been buying them for years and at the price, they are brilliant.

well tbh it’s not I’m ignoring their advice I’m digesting it. I clearly don’t need glasses in the way some people need them to simply see. I can drive without them etc.

The things I can’t see are things fairly far away and I would be able to see them if I wore glasses. But I get by and I’m trying to weigh up if I actually should wear them (as the opticians were clearly behind) or if I can wait until I truly need them and want them because I don’t like the feel of wearing glasses.

not sure if my astigmatism was also exaggerated then because this was the first time I’ve been told I should wear glasses full time.

I don’t need reading glasses it’s for far away stuff.

You said it had changed by -0.25 so what is your actual prescription? We dont know if your eyesight is bad enough to need glasses if we dont know how short sighted you are @bluekingfisher

@Dabberlocks They don't work properly if you have astigmatism.

What is your actual prescription. As you have issues with distance vision you obviously can’t wear over the counter reading spx as some people seem to think.
Has the optician said whether your eyesight meets minimum driving specifications?. You say you have difficulty with things ‘fairly far away ‘ so, at what point do you see the child about to run into the road. ？

Get someone to do the Police Reg number distance check with you.

If you can't do that, you should be wearing them when driving.

I can see really well with my astigmatism, but i can't pass the reg plate distance reading test.. which means legally i HAVE to wear my glasses if i'm driving.

I'm 44, and only this last time been given reading glasses, and honestly, they've made a massive difference to seeing small print.