People Who Never Need Glasses Do This One Thing Every Day
Woman over 50 reading a book without needing glasses
Glasses can be a fashion statement—even people with perfect vision might don a pair just for fun. But some people don't want them, and if you're one of those people, we'll give you the bad news first: "Most people will benefit from glasses at some point in their life," says Dr. Michelle Holmes, OD, an optometrist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute.
In fact, a Washington Post analysis recently found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults wear corrective lenses, either glasses or contacts. The sample size of the data was pretty large too: more than 110,000 U.S. adults responded to the survey.
What gives? For starters, the Post conceded that the data may include some people who wear glasses as a fashion statement. Still, experts say it's common to need glasses, especially as you age.
While there's only so much you can control—and your age isn't one of them—eye doctors shared some top habits for keeping your vision in tip-top shape for as long as possible.
Related: The Common Habit That Could Be Damaging Your Vision, According to Ophthalmologists
Is It Normal to Never Need Glasses?
Not really. "Some people need glasses when they're young—before 45," explains Dr. Craig See, MD, of Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute. "If you don't need glasses before your 40s, chances are you will need to start using reading glasses in your 40s."
Dr. See likes to tell people to picture the eyes as a camera for the body, explaining: "When we are young, we can bring the focus in and see near and far. With age, it's like locking the focus of the camera."
Enter glasses. "If the 'locked' focus of your eye is distance, you need glasses for near," Dr. See says. "If the 'locked' focus is near—myopia or nearsightedness—you will need glasses for distance."
Then Why Do Some People Never Need Glasses?
To be clear, most people will need glasses at some point. But a combination of factors may help someone become something of a unicorn. "The shape and curvature of the eye in these people provide the focused vision that allows them to complete their activities of daily life," says Dr. Daniel C. Brocks, MD, the chief medical officer at BostonSight.
However, Dr. Holmes points out that never needing glasses and never using them are two separate things, explaining, "Often people don't think that they 'need' glasses and are perfectly functional without them but notice an improvement in their vision with glasses. I think personality and occupational demands play a large role in this. I always tell patients it's hard to know what you’re not seeing without a proper eye exam."
No. 1 Habit to Try if You Want to Delay Needing Glasses
If you want to delay needing glasses for vision, invest in a different pair of frames: sunglasses. "Protecting your eyes from harmful UV-A and UV-B rays helps prevent the development of early cataracts and growths on the eye," Dr. Holmes says.
Dr. Holmes adds that these growths include pingueculas (surfer's eye), snow blindness and eye cancers. She also recommends wearing a wide-brimmed hat to shade eyes. (Bonus: This step can reduce skin cancer risk.)
Dr. Brocks echoed these sentiments, saying, "Wearing sunglasses is a very important daily habit. Sunglasses have been shown to reduce the risk of progressive diseases such as cataracts and, more importantly, macular degeneration."
A 2021 study also found that sunglasses lowered a person's odds of cataracts. And a 2016 study found that sun exposure is a risk factor for macular degeneration.
That doesn't mean you should stay indoors, though. "Rates of myopia nearsightedness have been growing at an alarming rate, affecting about 42% of Americans," says Dr. Sonia Kelley, OD MS, the senior medical editor at All About Vision. "Researchers have found that a greater amount of time spent outside can help protect against myopia in children."
Dr. Kelley agrees that wearing sunglasses is an important habit. When choosing sunglasses, the type is important, and you'll definitely want to examine the label. "When you purchase sunglasses, look for a label that states 100% protection against both UVA and UVB or 100% protection against UV 400," Dr. Kelley says.
Related: The #1 Anti-Inflammatory Food You Should Eat Every Day if You Want To Live to 100
Other Ways to Protect Eye Health
Dr. See shares there are many things people can do to keep their eyes in the best shape possible, including:
Taking good care of your general health ("Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in the developed world," Dr. See says)
Wearing safety glasses
Not rubbing your eyes
Spending time glancing at things at least 20 feet away ("There is evidence that prolonged near work contributes to nearsightedness," Dr. See explains)
Getting regular eye exams ("Diseases like glaucoma can cause gradual vision loss if it's not caught and treated," Dr. See shares)
Also, it's good to be aware of the signs that you may need glasses. Dr. See shares a few top symptoms that might mean your vision could use an assist from glasses or contacts, such as:
Squinting to read things
Seeing better through a pinhole
Getting headaches after reading
Being unable to read subtitles on a TV
Feeling uncomfortable driving at night
Needing to sit in the front of a classroom to read a board (this is often the first sign that kids need glasses)
The caveat? "These symptoms are not specific to needing glasses—there are other causes as well," Dr. See explains. Getting an eye test can help you rule out vision issues, and your primary care doctor can help you find an eye doctor or other appropriate specialist to get to the bottom of what's up.
Sources
Why are these groups so much more likely to wear glasses than any others? Washington Post
Dr. Michelle Holmes, OD, an optometrist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute.
Dr. Craig See, MD, of Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute
Dr. Daniel C. Brocks, MD, the chief medical officer at BostonSight
Relationship between practices of eye protection against solar ultraviolet radiation and cataract in a rural area. PLoS1.
History of sun light exposure is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration. Retina.
Dr. Sonia Kelley, OD MS, the senior medical editor at All About Vision
