Are reading glasses making your eyesight worse?

You might think so, but that’s not what’s really happening. ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( In a Nutshell A couple of years ago, I noticed a gradual but undeniable change in my vision. Magazine articles looked fuzzy, newspaper print seemed to shrink, and even my phone’s maxed-out text size started to blur. Some days were worse than others, but eventually, I could no longer deny the obvious: I needed reading glasses. When I finally gave in and bought a pair, the world snapped back into focus — it was like seeing in high definition again! But something worried me: On days when I don’t wear my glasses, my vision seems even worse than before I started using them. Is wearing glasses actually making my eyesight worse? If not, then why does my vision seem to change every day? Today, we’ll uncover the answers to these questions. But first, let’s glance at more headlines from the past few days: • [6 popular herbal supplements could harm your liver]( • [Sleeping in on weekends may cut your heart disease risk by how much?!]( • [Why do people put garlic in their ears, and does it work?]( OK, time for a closer look. Tim Snaith Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Tim Snaith September 6, 2024 • 3.5 min read Advertisement [Achieve Your Fitness Goals with Gainful]( Customize these supplements to build muscle and reach your goals. Use the code Gainful20 for 20% off (new users only). [SHOP NOW [→]]( [Achieve Your Fitness Goals with Gainful]( [I can see clearly now]( what’s got us buzzing [I can see clearly now]( What I’m experiencing, and what many of you might be going through, is [presbyopia](: the gradual loss of our eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects. It’s a natural part of aging that typically begins to develop after about [age 45](. The good news? It’s not caused or worsened by wearing glasses. I asked Healthline’s medical advisor, Dr. Jenny Yu, about what’s going on with my vision. “It’s not like crutches, where the use of glasses makes your eyes more dependent on it,” she explained. “Your need for glasses depends on the way the parts of the eye need to focus.”️ So why does my vision seem worse some days? It’s not that my vision is actually deteriorating faster. I’m just more aware of the contrast between corrected and uncorrected vision. However, factors like fatigue, lighting conditions, and even stress can affect how our eyes perform. This is why my vision often worsens in the evening when my eyes are tired and improves after a good night’s sleep. I’ll admit I felt reluctant about wearing reading glasses at first. Many of us see it as a sign of aging. Perhaps some sort of eye exercises would work? [Apparently not](. It took some time, but I’m finally used to the idea that using readers isn’t about me giving in and letting the advancing years take their toll — it’s more about taking care of my eyes and being able to read again. There are some [natural ways]( to maintain your general eye health over the years: - Boost your diet with vitamins A, C, and E, found in leafy greens, citrus fruits, and nuts. - Increase your omega-3 fatty acid intake. Try fish, flaxseeds, or supplements. - Get enough zinc from foods like oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds. - Protect your eyes from UV rays with sunglasses. - [Practice the 20-20-20 rule](. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. - Rest your eyes — even if that means reducing strain by wearing prescription glasses. It’s important to acknowledge that presbyopia is just a part of life, and addressing it promptly can significantly improve one’s well-being. So go ahead and enjoy crisp, clear text without fretting too much about your vision. I did, and it feels great. [What causes sudden blurry vision?]( 🎤 Over to you: Do you have sharp vision despite your age? What’s your secret? Share your story with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com, and you might see your experience featured in an upcoming edition! Great finds Vision vitamin [Viva Naturals Vitamin C 1,000 mg]( [Viva Naturals Vitamin C 1,000 mg]( While no supplement is a magic bullet, incorporating a high quality vitamin C into your daily routine is a simple step toward supporting your overall health, including your eyesight. While researching this newsletter, I came across Viva Naturals Vitamin C supplements. What held my attention was the brand’s use of non-GMO Quali-C all the way from Scotland, combined with citrus bioflavonoids and rose hips. This blend supports immune function and [collagen synthesis](, which is essential for eye, skin, hair, and joint health. I also like that these capsules are vegetarian-friendly and free from gluten and dairy. 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By using this Optum Perks service, we may receive a tangible benefit. health stories you need What we’re reading next [] ☕ [Does coffee have carbs?]( In theory, almost none, but in practice … 🧠[The importance of mental fitness.]( Looking after your mind is absolutely as important as your body. 🕰️ [The new timetable for how the human body ages.]( We go through “dramatic changes” at two specific points in our lives. 🧘🏽‍♀️ [How to cope with chronic constipation.]( Get ahead of anxiety and discomfort with these tips. That’s all for today! Morgan returns on Monday with a cartload of inflation-busting grocery shopping tips. Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! [Telegram] This edition was powered by [1 diopter](. [fb]( [tiktok]( [X]( [youtube]( [insta]( [View in browser]( Did a friend send you this email? 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