Staying Clear: Should You Wear Your Glasses All the Time?

Introduction: Navigating the world with -1.75 prescription? Wondering if you need to wear your glasses all the time? Let's break down the myths and facts, guided by some expert insights.

The Myth Behind Wearing Glasses All the Time

There's a common belief that you should wear your glasses all the time, especially if your prescription is -1.75. However, this advice is often myth rather than fact, and it's definitely worth questioning. For instance, didn't anyone point you to Nav’s article “the real cure for eye strain”? It emphasizes that wearing glasses for only when you need to see clearly is more than enough.

The Truth Behind Myopia

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a condition where the eyeballs grow too long optically, leading to difficulty seeing distant objects. According to Dr. Ben Wilkinson, FRCSC, myopia is largely genetic and develops during growth, typically stabilizing around age 17-21. It's becoming more common, and the reasons aren't entirely clear. However, one theory suggests it's linked to growth itself. People are growing taller and faster, and this can be seen in the dramatic changes in the Japanese population before and after World War I.

The Benefits of Consistent Lens Wear

Let's consider the benefits of wearing your glasses all the time. To start, they make it harder for you to lose them! Additionally, they ensure that your eyes remain accustomed to their corrected vision, aiding in binocular eye coordination, which is crucial for activities like walking outdoors or driving. If you need them for reading, feel free to take them off, unless you have other unmentioned binocular or eye coordination issues.

Wearing Glasses for Clear Vision

Wearing glasses all the time can be wise, especially for people with myopia. For starters, it allows your eyes to behave normally, focusing on objects in the distance with their relaxed state. This doesn't affect your myopia, neither improving nor worsening it. It's essentially similar to putting on reading glasses if your prescription is moderate.

Facts About Refractive Error and Myopia

High myopia, with a prescription of -6.00D or more, carries with it a risk of certain complications. These complications are due to the stress between the size of the sclera (the outer tough layer of the eye) and the retina (the light-sensitive 'film' in the eye), which are derived from different kinds of tissue in the embryo. To correct myopia, options include glasses, contact lenses, or ortho-keratology, a system that uses contact lenses worn at night to change the curvature of the cornea. Refractive surgery, such as LASIK, is also an option once growth has ceased.

Conclusion

In summary, whether you should wear your glasses all the time depends on your needs and lifestyle. If you frequently require them, it’s wise to wear them constantly to prevent losing them and to keep your eyes accustomed to their corrected vision. With the right approach and care, you can manage your myopia effectively, ensuring clear eyesight and a healthy life.