Ophthalmologist Judith Portorreal Debunks Myths About Glasses and Offers Key Recommendations
Ophthalmologist Judith Portorreal highlighted essential recommendations for people who wear glasses, aiming to debunk common myths and promote proper eye care.
The keratoconus specialist asserted that glasses do not expire: “As we age, refractive errors—meaning irregularities in vision—can change. For this reason, it’s crucial to have an annual eye exam to adjust the lens prescription. Although glasses don’t change, the eyes do, and it’s necessary to ensure proper correction,” she explained.
Portorreal emphasized that glasses do not cure refractive errors and clarified that their use does not alter the structure of the eye: “If a person needs glasses, it’s because their eye is longer, shorter, or has a cornea with a different curvature than normal. In these cases, glasses help compensate for the refractive error, providing clear vision without changing the underlying eye condition.”
She debunked the myth that wearing glasses weakens vision and explained that when a person with a refractive error doesn’t wear glasses, their eyes constantly strain to focus properly. This can lead to headaches, eye fatigue, and neck tension. “By using the correct glasses, this strain is reduced, allowing the eyes to function optimally,” she added.
The Importance of Eye Exams to Detect More Serious Issues
Portorreal recommended regular eye check-ups to detect potentially serious conditions. “Glasses prescriptions typically change about once a year. However, if a person experiences rapid vision loss despite using the correct prescription, it could indicate a more serious condition, such as keratoconus,” she warned.
She explained that keratoconus is a corneal disease that can cause significant vision loss, especially in young patients.
“If someone notices that their astigmatism is frequently increasing or their prescription changes rapidly, it’s important to see a specialist to rule out conditions like keratoconus,” advised Dr. Portorreal.
