Our eyesight is something many of us take for granted—until it starts causing problems. But vision changes don’t always come on suddenly. In fact, they can creep in quietly, making it easy to ignore them until the effects are impossible to miss.
Regular eye tests can catch issues early, and there are clear signs your body might already be giving you. Here’s what to watch out for.
1. You’re squinting more than usual
Squinting can help sharpen your vision temporarily by reducing light entering the eye, but it’s a red flag if you’re doing it regularly. Whether it’s the TV in the evening or road signs during a drive, the need to squint often points to uncorrected short-sightedness (or sometimes long-sightedness). It could also signal astigmatism—a common issue where the shape of the eye affects how light hits the retina.
2. You’ve got frequent headaches
Not all headaches are vision-related, but if they tend to appear after screen time, reading, or driving, they might be linked to your eyes. Straining to focus can put pressure on the muscles around your eyes and forehead. If this is becoming a pattern, it’s worth booking in for a test—especially if the headaches are dull and persistent.
3. Your eyes feel tired, dry or strained
Eye strain is increasingly common, particularly if you’re staring at screens most of the day. You might find your eyes feel gritty, dry, or achy by late afternoon. While this doesn’t always mean your vision has changed, it could be a sign your current prescription is no longer quite right—or that you need glasses for the first time.
4. Night-time driving has become difficult
Struggling with glare from headlights or having trouble judging distances at night? That could indicate a change in your vision. Night driving often highlights issues with contrast sensitivity and depth perception, both of which can be affected by changes in your eyesight.
5. You’re holding things closer (or further away) to read
If you find yourself moving your phone back and forth just to read a text message, your near vision could be shifting. This is especially common from your forties onwards, thanks to a natural change in the eye called presbyopia. A proper eye test will confirm what’s going on and whether reading glasses could help.
6. You’ve had changes in your overall health
Certain health conditions can have a knock-on effect on your vision. Diabetes, high blood pressure and even some autoimmune conditions can impact eye health. If you’ve had a recent diagnosis or change in medication, it’s wise to let your optician know and get your eyes checked.
7. It’s been over two years since your last test
Even if you’re not noticing any issues, your eyes should be checked at least every two years. Eye tests don’t just assess vision—they can also pick up early signs of conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and even some types of cancer. And if you wear glasses or contact lenses, you may need checks more frequently.
Think of it as part of your self-care routine
Getting your eyes tested isn’t just about ticking a box. It’s about looking after a key part of your overall health and wellbeing. You wouldn’t ignore tooth pain or leave a suspicious mole unchecked—so why do it with your vision?
Many people delay eye tests because they assume their sight is “good enough.” But catching changes early can make all the difference, especially when it comes to things like preventing eye strain or updating your prescription before discomfort sets in.
If you’re nodding along to any of the signs above, it might be time to call your local optician. A quick check could save you months of discomfort—and help you see the world a little more clearly again.
