Debunked: Does Wearing Glasses Make Your Eyes Weaker?

If your eye doctor recently gave you a new prescription for glasses or contacts, you might wonder, “Is wearing glasses actually making my eyesight worse?” 

And if you’ve wondered this, you’re not alone. After all, many people find they need a stronger prescription over time. Or you may notice that your vision seems especially blurry when you take your glasses off. And these things might make you think your vision is getting worse. 

But rest assured: So far, there’s no evidence that wearing glasses is bad for your eye health. In fact, wearing glasses or contacts when you need them can actually prevent certain problems, like headaches and eye fatigue.  

Does wearing glasses weaken your eyes?

No, wearing glasses doesn’t weaken your eyes. This is true even if you have a vision problem, such as: 

• Nearsightedness (myopia)

• Farsightedness (hyperopia)

• Astigmatism

• Age-related nearsightedness (presbyopia) 

• Lazy eye (amblyopia)

The truth is: Wearing your glasses or contacts can actually help your eyes stay healthy. When asked if wearing glasses can weaken your eyes, Dr. Diane Hilal-Campo, board-certified ophthalmologist and founder of twenty/twenty beauty explained: “It’s quite the opposite. Wearing corrective lenses puts less strain on your eyes and leaves them more rested and comfortable.” 

And though you might notice that your prescription changes after wearing glasses for a while, Dr. Hilal-Campo said that this is due to the natural aging of the eye or health conditions — not because of wearing, or not wearing, your eyeglasses.

Can your vision get worse without glasses? 

No. Your eyesight won’t get worse if you don’t wear your reading glasses or prescription lenses. 

But it’s true that not wearing your glasses can sometimes cause uncomfortable symptoms due to eyestrain, including:

• Dry eyes

• Itching

• Eye fatigue

• Watery eyes

• Blurry vision

• Headaches

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist: What’s the Difference?

Health Debunked: Is Blue Light Actually Bad for You?

What You Need to Know About Clear Eyes Redness Relief

View more

Do glasses have any negative health effects?

Wearing glasses isn’t bad for your eyes. But glasses and contact lenses can sometimes cause side effects and other potential health issues. Here are some of the things to look out for:

• Headaches: Glasses can sometimes cause headaches if they’re not fitted properly, or you’re wearing the wrong prescription. 

• Infection: If you wear contact lenses, you could be at risk for infection — especially if you don’t wear them as instructed, or don’t care for them properly. Wearing contacts can also increase your risk for a type of eyeball inflammation called keratitis. 

• Allergies: If you already have seasonal allergies, wearing contacts can sometimes make your eye irritation worse. Medicated eye drops, wearing daily lenses, or using special contact lenses can help. 

• Eyestrain: If your glasses or contact prescription is outdated or you have the wrong prescription, you may experience eyestrain. This can lead to symptoms like blurred vision, headaches, and sore eyes. 

If you have any of these concerns regarding your eyeglasses or contact lenses, talk with your medical professional or eye doctor.

When should you see an eye care professional?

If you think your vision is getting worse, make an appointment with an optometrist near you. They can do an eye exam to look for any problems, and check your vision to see if you need a new prescription. They can also tell you whether other issues, like seasonal allergies, could be affecting your eyesight. 

And even if you don’t have any problems with your eyes, it’s still a good idea to go in regularly for an eye appointment. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends getting a complete eye exam: 

• Once in your 20s

• Twice in your 30s

• Once at age 40

• Every year or two after age 65 

Keep in mind: If you have certain health problems, like diabetes or high blood pressure, you may need to have your eyes checked more often. Talk with your healthcare professional about what frequency is best for you. 

What can I do to keep my eyes healthy?

In addition to regular eye appointments, there are other things you can do to keep your eyes healthy. To protect your eyes, Dr. Hilal-Campo recommends:

• Avoiding eyestrain: The 20/20/20 rule can help keep your eyes healthy and prevent eyestrain — especially if you spend a lot of time on the computer. This means looking about 20 feet away for about 20 seconds every 20 minutes. 

• Protecting your eyes from UV damage: Wearing sunglasses is like wearing SPF for the eyes. According to Dr. Hilal-Campo, “You need to protect your eyes from UV damage, even on cloudy days or weeks.” This is especially important when you’re in an area where the sun is reflecting off of snow or water.

• Avoiding harmful beauty techniques: Eyelash growth serums containing prostaglandin analogues (such as Latisse) can be harmful to the eyes. Dr. Hilal-Campo also recommends avoiding eyelash extensions, which can irritate your eyes. 

• Living a healthy lifestyle: Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption as much as possible. Eating nutritious foods that are high in vitamins and minerals can also protect your eye health. 

• Wearing eye protection: According to the CDC, wearing eye protection can help to prevent vision loss. This is especially important if you’re exposed to workplace hazards that could hurt your eyes.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Payton Sy, BSN, RN

Payton Sy, BSN, RN, is a registered nurse with experience in women's health, primary care, and health insurance utilization management. She also worked as a certified nursing assistant in the senior health space before attending nursing school.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts