Why can I suddenly see better without my glasses?
When your vision is less than 100%, glasses make it better, and you gradually get used to the new normal. But what on earth does it mean when you suddenly start seeing better without glasses? Are you cured? Is this normal? And maybe the biggest question on your mind: Is it permanent? Before you cancel your next delivery of contact lenses, read up on what might be causing your vision to spontaneously improve and whether this is something you can count on.
Temporary factors influencing vision
Vision is complicated, and there's a lot that happens between light entering your eyes and the picture that appears in your brain. Little alterations to any part of the system can change your vision for the worse (likely and common) or better (rare, but hurray!) Here are some common but mundane reasons you're seeing better without glasses.
- Improved conditions: You need light to see, and as a rule, you'll see better in better light. Poor lighting is probably not the reason you needed glasses in the first place, but improving the light somewhere you spend a lot of time, such as hunched over a workbench, can sure feel like an improvement in vision.
- Eye moisture: Dry eyes don't usually cause years of poor or declining vision, but over the short term, you might get a noticeable improvement from just a few squirts of artificial tears.
- Better rest: Tired eyes see poorly, and chronically strained eyes can suffer a real decline in vision quality. Stop doing that, such as rearranging your workstation or spending more time away from the computer, and you could notice an improvement in your eyesight after just a few days. The same goes for getting enough sleep and generally living a healthier lifestyle.
Changes in eye health
Okay, so the mysterious improvement in your eyesight isn't coming after a change in diet or taking up yoga. So, what's going on? Funnily enough, many of the same processes that make your vision worse over time can sometimes cause an improvement. Changes in eye health can come from a variety of physical changes elsewhere.
Fluctuations in eye prescription
It's typical for eye conditions to get worse with time, requiring stronger prescriptions every few years. If your astigmatism or another condition just happens to take a turn that way, such that your changing eye shape happens to bring images back into clearer focus for you, you could experience it as a temporary improvement in your vision.
Second sight
Speaking of eye conditions, there's a curious phenomenon known as second sight, in which a farsighted person gradually notices their vision improving. While this may feel like a miracle, it's actually a warning sign. Growing cataracts tend to pull the lenses into a more nearsighted shape, which is all bad if you had normal vision before. If you were already a little farsighted, however, a little bit of cataracts has the effect of pulling your lenses into the correct shape for a time, like having your own internal pair of contact lenses. This improvement doesn't last, and you'll gradually develop more problems as the cataracts grow, so definitely get an eye exam to have this checked out, especially if you're already in a high-risk group for cataracts.
Natural variability in visual acuity
Another reason you might have a sudden improvement in your vision could be ... no reason. That is, no obvious reason. Vision can change over time, and natural changes could just ... happen. Things that are going on here could include:
- Subjective perception. Vision is, as we said earlier, complicated. Part of that is how your brain perceives input from your eyes, which can change for all sorts of reasons.
- Mood and emotional health. It's weird to think about this, but your mood can actually affect your vision. At least, you can experience vision differently depending on your mental state. People going through periods of major depressive disorder actually experience a suppression of contrast in vision, which can make the world look hazy and less distinct. If you're recovering from an episode like this, you could wind up seeing better without glasses.
When to consult an eye professional
It may feel like good news when you start seeing better without glasses, but what you're going through is still a major change to your vision. Consult with an eye care professional if your new vision is accompanied by:
- Mood changes
- Loss of balance or other neurological symptoms
- Fogging of the lenses, as with growing cataracts
- Headaches, nausea, or dizziness
- Weight loss or gain, disturbed sleep, or other signs of physical and emotional conditions
Why are you seeing better without glasses now?
There are lots of reasons you might start seeing better without glasses. It's generally smart to get major vision changes checked out by an eye care professional. Find a professional near you and get your vision checked today.
FAQs
Can sudden vision improvement indicate a serious eye condition?
Sudden vision improvements could be a sign of cataracts or of a new eye condition that (temporarily) reverses the other eye condition you already had. Always get checked for dramatic changes to your vision, even if it seems like it's for the better.
Is it possible for the eyes to adapt and require fewer prescription glasses?
Eyes are weird and sometimes get a little better on their own. The reverse is more likely, however, so make sure you keep your prescription current.
Should I stop wearing glasses altogether if I experience sudden improvement?
If you're seeing fine without glasses, you don't have to wear them (duh, they'll actually make your vision worse). Keep them around, though, because your improved vision might be temporary.