Generally speaking, most people get new glasses every one to two years. (It often depends on how frequently their insurance provider covers a new pair.) But knowing how often to get new glasses isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. Several factors might affect your glasses-buying frequency.
Let’s face it. Some people get excited (downright giddy, even) when it’s time to buy new glasses. (Yes, this includes us.) But that’s not the case for everyone. Some may see new glasses as an extra expense they’d prefer to put off, and that’s OK, too. But, as you can see, this makes the word “should” in the question at hand rather subjective.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons you might get new glasses more or less frequently than other folks.
5 Factors That Can Influence When to Get New Glasses
Your glasses are your key to clear vision. That’s why prescription changes will likely always be the top factor guiding your new-glasses-buying decisions. But there are other things that might influence when you get new eyewear, too.
Below are five main factors that may impact when you decide to buy new glasses.
1. Your Prescription
We hope this one’s a given, but if there’s a change in your prescription, then it’s likely time for new glasses. But how often should you get a new glasses prescription?
Most glasses prescriptions expire after one or two years. At your exam, your eye doctor will let you know if there are changes in your prescription that warrant a shiny new pair of eyeglasses. If your prescription has little to no change, your doctor may say you can continue wearing your current pair if you choose.
How frequently a prescription changes enough to require new glasses will vary from person to person. For instance, eyesight tends to change less frequently for someone in their 20s and 30s as their eyes have stopped growing. Young children or older adults may find their prescriptions changing more often.
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2. Wear and Tear
How long do glasses last, anyway? With a little TLC, a pair of quality eyeglasses can last many years.
But sometimes, wear and tear on your glasses might leave you pining for a new pair sooner than later. Trying to fix scratched lenses isn’t recommended, and sometimes unfortunate accidents may leave you with broken frames that can’t be easily repaired. So, if you find your glasses looking a bit worse for wear, you might consider getting a new pair. It may be worth keeping a spare pair or two on hand, too, for good measure—alternating between several pairs of glasses can help each pair last longer overall.
3. Your Style Preferences
Take it from us: There’s nothing wrong with wanting a new pair of glasses for fashion’s sake. Your glasses are, first and foremost, your ticket to seeing clearly, but they can also serve as a favorite accessory.
Maybe you’ve been itching to try a new style of glasses. Or maybe the color of your frames isn’t really your favorite anymore. Whatever the reason, switching up your frames is perfectly understandable, even if your prescription hasn’t changed.
Many people enjoy having more than one pair of glasses to choose from when it comes to accessorizing. Maybe a pair for more formal occasions and another pair for everyday use? One pair that’s a solid color and another that has a fun tortoise pattern? The desire to freshen up your options could certainly play a part in your decision to buy a new pair of glasses.
4. Exciting New Tech
Think about how much glasses have changed since they were invented. Today, there are so many lens options and technologies available to us.
Just think about it: There are literally lenses that darken in the sun! There are lenses that filter blue light. There’s UV protection, anti-reflective coating, scratch resistance, and so much more! We can only imagine what exciting new technologies are yet to come. Will newly emerged technologies play a part in your decision to get new glasses? Time will tell.
5. Your Lifestyle
Yes, even changes in your lifestyle could indicate a need for a new pair of eyewear. For instance, a change in career could mean you need anti-fatigue lenses for computer work, more durable frames for physical labor, or perhaps just eyewear that suits a more professional look.
Is It Time for New Glasses?
Your eye doctor should be your first stop to ensure your prescription is up to date. If it’s been a year since your last exam, book an appointment to get an expert’s advice.
If you’re up to date with exams but still looking for a reason to buy a new pair of glasses, we hope we’ve given you a few good excuses 😉.
