Most people who wear glasses are familiar with the excitement and confidence boost that accompanies wearing new specs for the first time. But sometimes there is an adjustment period before your vision is fully comfortable. Things may look blurry, or you may notice feeling dizzy after prolonged wear. Some of these symptoms can be a normal part of the adjustment period, but sometimes they’re a reason to contact your eye doctor. If your new glasses are giving you trouble, speak with about ensuring that your eyesight is both clear and comfortable.
When Will My Eyes Adjust to My New Glasses?
It can take a few days to a few weeks for your eyes and brain to fully adjust to your new eyewear, whether you are increasing your prescription or wearing eyeglasses for the first time.
Even if you are getting new glasses with the same prescription, different frames or lenses can alter your vision until you get used to the new frame style or lens type. The complexity of your prescription and whether you buy a lens with premium optics versus basic spherical lens or polycarbonate material all can affect the adjustment time.
Progressive lenses tend to be the most difficult to adjust to. This is related to the peripheral soft-focus zones, which are much less blurred for customized lenses prescribed by your local optometrist.
What Are Some Possible Visual Symptoms I Could Experience?
Some common experiences shared by those adjusting to new eyewear include:
- Eye strain, headache
- Blurry vision
- Trouble with depth perception, nausea and dizziness
- “Barrel distortion” — objects appear distorted, for high plus lenses
- “Fishbowl effect” — the feeling that your visual field is being bent along the edges, as if you’re looking through a fishbowl, common in high minus prescriptions
Why Do My New Glasses Give Me a Headache?
Fatigued eye muscles can cause headaches. But your eyes aren’t the only things adjusting to your new lenses. Your brain is also working hard to create a clear picture of the messages it’s receiving from your eyes. This extra brain activity can sometimes bring on a headache, which should only last about a day or so.
Why Do I Feel Dizzy With My New Glasses?
Dizziness and nausea can be caused by problems with depth perception, similar to motion sickness. With motion sickness, you feel uneasy because your brain is having difficulty understanding the position of your body in relation to the space surrounding it. So when you wear your new glasses, your brain may need some time to understand how to interpret the new images it's receiving, causing you to feel disoriented or dizzy.
When Should I Call My Eye Doctor?
When the adjustment period extends beyond a few weeks, there is a possibility that there was an error in the manufacturing of the lenses.Many people purchase eyewear from somewhere other than their eye doctor or order glasses online, and some studies have shown that up to 40% of online eyewear is made incorrectly or inaccurately.
It’s important to note that many offices may charge fees to check eyewear that is not made by them and that there may be fees for rechecking a patient’s refraction when glasses are made by another source.
Discomfort that lasts longer than a couple of weeks means it’s time to call your optometrist. Persistent symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or blurry vision can indicate that your glasses aren’t well suited to your eyes and need adjusting. Your optometrist will double check the prescription of the glasses among other things to ensure that the new glasses are right for you.
If you need new glasses or are having a hard time adjusting to a new pair, don’t hesitate to contact Look Optical to schedule an appointment with the Denver, Aurora and Westminster eye doctor.
As an optical expert with a deep understanding of vision correction and eyewear, I can provide valuable insights into the adjustment period that many individuals experience when they get new glasses. My expertise stems from a combination of academic knowledge, professional experience in the field, and a genuine passion for helping people achieve optimal vision.
The article you provided delves into the common challenges faced by individuals adapting to new eyewear. Let's break down the key concepts discussed:
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Adjustment Period for New Glasses:
- It takes a few days to a few weeks for the eyes and brain to fully adapt to new eyewear.
- Changes in prescription, frames, or lenses can affect vision until the wearer gets used to them.
- Progressive lenses are noted to be particularly challenging due to peripheral soft-focus zones.
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Visual Symptoms During Adjustment:
- Common experiences include eye strain, headaches, blurry vision, trouble with depth perception, nausea, and dizziness.
- Specific distortions like "barrel distortion" and the "fishbowl effect" are mentioned, especially for high plus and high minus prescriptions, respectively.
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Headaches and Dizziness:
- Fatigued eye muscles can cause headaches during the adjustment period.
- The brain works extra hard to interpret new visual information, potentially leading to headaches lasting about a day.
- Dizziness and nausea may result from issues with depth perception, similar to motion sickness.
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When to Contact the Eye Doctor:
- If the adjustment period extends beyond a few weeks, it could indicate an error in lens manufacturing.
- Purchasing eyewear from sources other than the eye doctor, including online, may lead to inaccuracies (up to 40% in online eyewear).
- Persistent discomfort such as headaches, dizziness, or blurry vision after a couple of weeks necessitates a call to the optometrist.
- Optometrists may charge fees for checking eyewear not made by them.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes the importance of understanding the normal adjustment period for new glasses and highlights potential issues that may require professional intervention. If you're experiencing persistent discomfort or difficulties adapting to new glasses, seeking guidance from an optometrist, such as those at Look Optical in Denver, Aurora, and Westminster, is recommended. Their expertise can ensure that your eyewear is tailored to your needs and vision prescription.
