Do Most People Need Glasses Eventually? Here's What You Should Know

The Reality of Needing Glasses

Well, here’s a question that most of us have probably asked at some point: "Do most people need glasses eventually?" Honestly, when I first started noticing that I couldn't read the fine print on menus or my phone without squinting, I thought it was just a phase. But over time, it became clear that I wasn’t alone. Many of my friends were starting to face similar issues. So, is it inevitable that everyone will need glasses at some point? Let’s dive into this.

Why Do Our Eyes Change Over Time?

The Aging Process and Presbyopia

Actually, the simple answer is yes—most people will need glasses eventually, but the reason behind this is linked to the natural aging process. One of the most common reasons people need glasses as they age is presbyopia, which is a condition that typically begins in your 40s. Presbyopia occurs because the lens in your eye becomes less flexible, making it harder to focus on close objects. It’s something we all go through, whether we like it or not.

I had no idea what presbyopia was when it first hit me. I remember being in my mid-40s, holding my phone at arm’s length to read a text. It was frustrating, and I tried to ignore it for a while, but I eventually had to admit—my eyes were changing. A quick visit to the eye doctor confirmed it. So yeah, presbyopia is something pretty much everyone experiences, and it usually means we need reading glasses.

Genetics and Refractive Errors

Aside from age, genetics play a huge role in whether or not you'll need glasses. If your parents wore glasses, chances are, you might too. Conditions like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism are often inherited. I have a cousin who has worn glasses since childhood, and I remember thinking, "That’s never going to happen to me." But guess what? In my early 30s, I started noticing the first signs of nearsightedness—something I never expected. And, sure enough, it ran in the family.

The Common Types of Vision Problems

Myopia (Nearsightedness)

Myopia is when you can see things up close clearly but have trouble with distant objects. It usually starts in childhood and often worsens during the teenage years. If you’re someone who squints while trying to see the board at school or has trouble reading road signs while driving, you may be dealing with myopia. If untreated, it can worsen over time, leading to the need for corrective lenses.

Hyperopia (Farsightedness)

On the flip side, hyperopia, or farsightedness, means you can see distant objects clearly but struggle with close-up tasks like reading. It can develop at any age, but it’s more common as you get older. For a long time, I had a friend who would always complain about her blurry vision when reading or knitting. She thought it was just fatigue. But when she finally got her eyes checked, it turned out to be hyperopia. She got glasses, and boom—her world came into focus.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism is when the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing blurry or distorted vision. This is another condition that can develop at any age and usually requires corrective lenses to address the issue. Honestly, I didn’t realize how many people struggle with astigmatism until a friend mentioned it. She had trouble seeing both near and far objects clearly. After a quick eye exam, the doctor confirmed that she had mild astigmatism and suggested glasses for everyday use. Once she got them, it was like a whole new world.

When Do Most People Need Glasses?

The Teen Years and Early 20s

Interestingly, while many people need glasses later in life, some start in their teens or early 20s. My first pair of glasses came at age 21. I’d been experiencing headaches and eye strain for a while, especially when staring at a computer screen for long hours. Once I got my first prescription, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders—literally and figuratively! So, even though it’s more common to need glasses as we age, it’s not a guarantee that everyone will need them in their 40s or 50s. Some of us need them much earlier.

The 40s and Beyond

As I mentioned before, the 40s mark a time when presbyopia tends to kick in for most people. That’s when the need for reading glasses often becomes inevitable. If you’ve been lucky enough to get by without glasses until then, don’t be surprised when the small print becomes a challenge.

Can You Prevent Needing Glasses?

Eye Health Habits

Honestly, there are things you can do to help maintain your eye health and possibly delay the need for glasses. Regular eye exams are key. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, can help protect your eyes. I started taking care of my eye health more seriously after my first experience with glasses. I made sure to follow the advice of my optometrist and adopted a diet full of eye-friendly foods like carrots, spinach, and fish.

Protecting Your Eyes from Strain

In today’s digital age, we’re all glued to screens, which can lead to eye strain. To avoid making your eyes work harder than necessary, make sure you follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Trust me, this simple habit makes a huge difference.

Conclusion: Will You Eventually Need Glasses?

So, do most people eventually need glasses? Well, for many of us, yes. Whether it’s due to aging, genetics, or lifestyle, glasses are often in our future. But don’t panic. While the thought of needing glasses might seem intimidating, they can really improve your quality of life and help you see the world in a clearer, sharper way.

Now, I want to know—how old were you when you got your first pair of glasses? And if you haven’t needed them yet, do you think you’ll need them soon? Let me know your thoughts!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.