Are my eyes getting worse?

Question

Okay I'm 17 and today I went to the eye doctor to get my yearly vision check. My doctor told me I already had an astigmatism before. Anyway during the eye exam I could barely read the letters and I kept getting letters mixed up with numebers and other letters. But here's the problem after the exam he told me I need to get a slightly stronger pair of lens. Now my question is that bad?

The last time I went to the doctor he told me to wear my glasses to "see the world." I thought all eye doctors say that cause they want to make your eyes weak so you can keep coming back and getting stronger perscription. So I would wear them once in a while and eventually stopped. Do you think that made my eyes weaker by not wearing them?

Also If I start wearing my glasses will my eyes stop getting worse?

Answer 1

Bad news: Wearing your glasses will not prevent your eyes from worsening.

Good news: After about 21 years old, your vision will likely be more stable.  Thus the recommendation to wait 'till 21 for LASIK etc.

More Bad News: When you turn 42, you'll need bifocals.

A lot of eye docs tell people they have astigmatism, but few actually take the time to explain it thoroughly.  They might say your eye is shaped like a football or some other bogus analogy.  Don't worry about it.

If your glasses are too strong, they might infact worsen your eyes. In my experience, this effect is only temporary.

Answer 2

ummm..

let me think yea

Answer 3

Not wearing your glasses will not make your vision worse.  Wearing your glasses will not make your vision worse.  And there is nothing you can do, including wearing glasses or not wearing glasses, to improve your vision or keep it from worsening.

Eyesight is determined by the size and shape of your eye and will change as you grow throughout your teens.  That is normal and not "bad."  For most people, their vision stabilizes in the late teens or early twenties.  Just keep getting checkups and wear your glasses if you want to see clearly.

Answer 4

Yes, It gets worse the more you dont wear them, you should always wear your glasses.. usually at the age of 18 your vision should stay the same that is if you wear your glasses.. you could always try contacts to, its much easier to keep track of and you dont have to worry to much either .

- Jennifer