Myopia, one of the leading causes of vision impairment worldwide, is widely known to develop during childhood and adolescence and stabilize during adulthood. Around three-quarters of adults with myopia report having stable vision by age 18.

However, recent research published in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science notes the progression of myopia in adults aged 20 to 50. Three distinct data sets reveal that between the ages of 20 and 50, the average progression of adult myopia can range from −1.10D to −1.90D. These findings signify the importance of myopia intervention to manage and slow down the disease’s progression.

If you have adult myopia, the most common intervention is prescription glasses. These glasses are designed with concave lenses to reduce refraction light and let the retina focus on objects clearly. Below are tips for buying your first pair of prescription glasses to correct myopia and prevent your eyesight from worsening as you age.

Get an eye exam first

Considering myopia can progress even in adulthood, ensure that your glasses have an updated prescription. While there is no conclusive evidence that wearing the wrong prescription will accelerate myopia progression in adults, it can still contribute to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and blurred or double vision. Moreover, a visit with an optometrist can help you identify if your visual impairment may have other causes, like macular degeneration.

Get an accurate prescription by scheduling an appointment with a qualified optometrist, who can test your visual acuity and refraction to ensure your glasses suit your vision needs. In addition to local optical clinics, eyewear retailers like Target Optical have in-house eye care professionals who offer basic eye exams.

Explore your eyewear options

While you can get your eyewear at a retailer that usually provides a free or discounted eye exam, it’s best not to rush your decision and explore all possible frame options. So, instead of buying your glasses on your first visit to an optician, consider checking out prescription eyeglasses online to get a wider variety of frame and lens options.

Eyewear brand Oakley’s prescription glasses selection includes timeless frames like the square-shaped Holbrook and wire-rimmed Addams, helping you find the right style for your needs. In addition to a diverse collection of frame designs and materials, the retailer also caters to high myopia prescriptions for clear and comfortable vision. Ordering Oakley glasses online is also streamlined through same-day in-store pick-ups and free in-store returns.

Consider your prescription when choosing frames

When choosing frames, consider not only your style preferences in terms of frame shape and design but also what suits your prescription. For instance, the stronger your prescription, the thicker the lenses. Frames with a smaller lens area are thus ideal for balancing the lenses’ thickness and refractive power and making them less noticeable.

The square-shaped frames featured in Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2024 eyewear collection are also viable options for adults with high prescriptions. Their thickness and acetate material can help disguise thick lenses since less of the lens will stick out compared to metal or stainless steel frames.

Look into vision insurance benefits

Lastly, look into your insurance plan and determine if you qualify for vision care benefits that cut the out-of-pocket costs for eye exams and prescription glasses. Considering the average price of glasses is $242, providers like VSP Vision Insurance and EyeMed can help cover the frames, corrective lenses, or both for more budget-conscious eyewear. Your vision insurance coverage can also help you decide where to get your glasses since benefits mainly apply to their optometrists and optical retailers network.

Getting your first pair of glasses as an adult doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Following the tips above, you can get the right prescription glasses that meet your vision, lifestyle, and budget needs.

Discover the No-Glasses possibility

There is another option: retrain your eyes to start using the focusing muscles again and reverse your myopia/ Listen to our podcast with Jake Steiner and decide for yourself.

Link to products:

• Colyrio

• Fulvic Eyes

• MSM Gold Drops