Distance vision improving rapidly at age 62

[suzystephens]

My progressive eyeglasses have a prescription for both farsightedness and nearsightedness. With my previous glasses, I noticed the distance vision prescription didn't seem to work very long before my distance vision became blurrier with glasses.  So, I got new progressive glasses last year. Now I'm experiencing the same thing: my distance vision is not corrected anymore by my progressive lenses.  In fact, I have to remove my glasses to drive or watch TV.  It seems like my distance vision is improving literally week by week to the point that it may not need correction. I cannot find any explanation online about distance vision suddenly improving. I'm 62; what could be causing this? I hate to use my one annual insurance-paid eye doctor visit to get new glasses because the distance correction may not last (again). Thanks in advance for your help!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

This is NOT a good thing and usually it is due to one of two conditions:  1. you are developing cataracts which are going and changing your glasses. Because sometimes (if hyperopic or farsighted) this can lead temporarily to better distance or near vision WITHOUT glasses (it used to be called 'second sight') or if no cataracts undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes can cause this. you need to see a Eye MD ophthalmologist and share your story with her/him.