Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 3 minutes
Your vision can change throughout life, but can eyesight get better over time?
This blog explains when and why vision sometimes improves, which types of vision changes are normal, and what you should do to keep your eyes healthy.
You will learn what influences natural vision improvement, how age affects vision, and why regular eye exams matter.
We provide eye care for children and adults at our locations in Denver, Aurora, Hampden and Thornton. We accept Medicaid!
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
In some cases your vision can get better over time. Factors like age, health, lifestyle, and natural eye development all play a role. However, most significant refractive errors will need ongoing correction with prescription glasses or refractive surgery. Regular eye exams are the best way to protect your vision and spot any changes early.
How Vision Changes Over Time
It is normal for vision to shift at different life stages. During childhood and early adolescence, the eyes grow and mature rapidly. In young adulthood, visual acuity usually stabilizes. Later in life, age-related vision changes often cause vision to worsen.
However, some people notice periods where their vision seems to improve. Here are a few common scenarios.
Children Can Outgrow Nearsightedness
Some children with mild nearsightedness (myopia) improve as their eyes finish growing. The elongation of the eye slows, and vision stabilizes. This is why frequent eye exams and visual acuity tests are important during growth years.
Pregnancy-Related Vision Changes Can Reverse
During pregnancy, hormonal shifts can affect blood vessels and cause temporary blurred vision or dry eyes. After delivery, hormones return to normal and vision may improve again.
Presbyopia Can Cancel Out Nearsightedness
Adults with lifelong myopia often experience a temporary improvement in near vision when presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) begins in their 40s. They may find they can read without prescription glasses for a while.
Lifestyle and Health Changes May Help Vision
In some cases, improving overall health, like reducing screen time on digital devices, eating more nutrient-rich foods, managing blood sugar levels, or controlling high blood pressure, can improve visual comfort and reduce eye strain. Using the 20-20-20 rule can also reduce symptoms of computer vision syndrome.
When Vision Cannot Improve Naturally
There are limits to natural vision improvement. Certain refractive errors such as significant nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism will not resolve without corrective lenses, laser surgery, or refractive surgery. Similarly, conditions like cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration require medical treatment to preserve vision and protect the optic nerve.
How Eye Health Habits Influence Vision
While you cannot always change your prescription on your own, you can support eye health and protect vision by:
- Eating a diet rich in leafy greens, colorful fruits, and omega-3 fatty acids
- Wearing sunglasses with UV protection
- Taking regular breaks from screens and using the 20-20-20 rule
- Managing chronic conditions like diabetes, blood sugar, or high blood pressure
- Scheduling routine eye exams and comprehensive eye exams to detect early changes in the optic nerve and blood vessels
| 👁️ Try the 20-20-20 Rule If you spend long hours staring at a screen, try to implement the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a break and look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.This simple habit gives your eyes a chance to rest and reset, which may help reduce dryness, fatigue, and blurred vision. |
Why Regular Eye Exams Are Key
Because vision can shift subtly over time, regular eye exams are the best way to track changes. Children should receive eye exams starting at six months of age, with repeat exams as they grow. Adults should schedule a comprehensive eye exam every one to two years, or as recommended.
An eye doctor can perform visual acuity tests, detect small improvements or worsening of vision, adjust prescriptions, and check for signs of disease such as diabetic retinopathy or optic nerve damage. If you notice that your vision seems to be improving or changing, this can sometimes signal a medical issue, so do not skip that eye exam.
Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam Today
At Youth Vision we welcome patients of all ages for routine and advanced eye care. Our team provides expert eye exams, prescriptions for glasses and contacts, and care for common eye conditions. We proudly accept Medicaid.
Schedule an eye exam at one of our convenient locations:
- Denver Youth Vision, located at 1400 Grove Street, Denver, CO 80204, 303-825-2295
- Aurora Youth Vision, located at 14251 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011, 303-343-3133
- Thornton Youth Vision, located at 9674 Washington Street, Thornton, CO 80229, 303-953-880
- Hampden Youth Vision, located at 7400 East Hampden Ave. Unit C1, Denver, CO 80231, 720-866-9906
