How can you tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? (2024)

How can you tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? (1)If something seems off with your new prescription glasses, how can you tell whether you just need time to adjust to them or if the prescription is wrong? In this post, we outline how long it takes to adjust to new glasses and signs that your prescription glasses are wrong.

It is common for your eyes and brain to take some time to adjust to your new prescription glasses, especially if it’s your first pair of glasses or if it’s been a while since your prescription was updated.

It can also take some time to adjust to different glasses frames. Changing to wrap-around frames can alter the curve of the glass. Changing from larger frames to smaller frames can affect lens thickness and your peripheral vision.

The biggest potential problem is a faulty prescription, because your eyes will not adjust to your new glasses. Errors can occur during your eye examination, where the optometrist interpretes your answers about what you can and can’t see. If you scheduled your eye exam after work, when your eyes are tired and strained, it could skew the results of the exam.

Until you adjust to your new prescription glasses, it might appear that your new glasses don’t correct your vision as well as your old pair. This is completely normal. Most people find that it can take anywhere from 5 minutes to a few days to adjust to their new prescription glasses.

However, if they are your first pair of glasses, if there is a large change in the prescription, or if you are changing to a progressive or multifocal lens, it can take 2-6 weeks or longer for your eyes and brain to adjust. Your optometrist will be able to advise you on how long it may take for you to adjust to your prescription glasses.

You will not be able to adjust to your glasses if the prescription is incorrect.

If you experience any of these symptoms for an extended period of time, after the adjustment period, your prescription may be incorrect:

  • Extreme blurring of vision
  • Lack of focus
  • Poor vision when one eye is closed
  • Excessive eye strain
  • Headaches or dizziness
  • Vertigo or nausea, unrelated to a medical condition

Remember, you know your body best, so if you think something is “off” with your prescription glasses it’s always best to seek advice from a qualified optometrist.

If you notice any of the above symptoms while using a pair of glasses that you’ve had for a while, it’s time to get your eyes retested. Your prescription might have changed. Don’t throw away your old glasses, donate them! Read more about this in our post about What To Do With Your Old Glasses.

If you feel that something isn’t quite right with your prescription glasses or your vision isn’t as clear as it should be, contact Custom EyeCare today. We have the knowledge and expertise to investigate and solve the problem. Even if you got your glasses elsewhere, we will be happy to have a look at them.

When you book in for an eye test at Custom EyeCare, we conduct a thorough examination, discuss results and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Our qualified optical dispensers provide professional advice on which frames and lenses are right for you, so you can be confident that your new prescription glasses will be the perfect fit.

How can you tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? (2024)

FAQs

How can you tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? ›

There are a few warning signs to look for if you think your glasses are too strong, including blurry vision, eye strain, headaches, dizziness and nausea, and problems with depth perception. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to update your prescription.

How do you know if your prescription is too strong? ›

There are a few warning signs to look for if you think your glasses are too strong, including blurry vision, eye strain, headaches, dizziness and nausea, and problems with depth perception. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam to update your prescription.

How do you test for wrong eye prescription? ›

If your prescription is wrong, your optometrist will perform a refraction test to determine the lenses you require to see clearly. They'll also check to see if any underlying issues are affecting your vision. If your vision is naturally changing with time, regular appointments can help detect further changes.

How do I know if my eye prescription is good or bad? ›

Before we jump into what each section of how to read an eye prescription means, as a general rule, the higher the numbers on your prescription, the worse your eyesight is and the stronger your prescription will be to provide the necessary correction. Mild: -0.50 to -3. Moderate: -3.25 to -5.00. High: -5.25 to -10.

Can wrong prescription glasses cause worse vision? ›

In adults, there isn't a high risk of long-term eye damage associated with wearing the wrong prescription glasses. However, it can worsen hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism in kids. It can also affect visual development in younger children. Moreover, prescription lens errors can cause changes in your depth perception.

Can I get a refund if my eye prescription is wrong? ›

A good policy will replace the glasses or fully refund your purchase price if the problem is related to a defect in materials or an eyeglass lens prescription that wasn't made properly. If your eyeglasses break because of a defect, you should have no trouble getting your money back.

What happens if you wear glasses stronger than your prescription? ›

Frequent Headaches

Wearing glasses with an incorrect prescription puts undue strain on your eyes and visual system, which can result in headaches. If you've noticed worsening headaches or recurring headaches, contact your optometrist to schedule an eye exam.

How bad is a 1.25 eye prescription? ›

-1.25 power lens correction is relatively mild. A person who has -1.25 vision is likely to wear prescription eyeglasses. To improve their vision, many people with -1.25 vision may choose to wear only over-the-counter reader glasses.

Can your glasses be too clear? ›

Common complaints are that the prescription feels too strong (or even too clear!) or that the wearer feels dizzy or faint. This is especially true with older patients who have had large changes in prescription, since neuroplasticity decreases with age.

Is there a way to test your glasses prescription? ›

The GlassesUSA Prescription Scanner is a free app that uses your smartphone camera to scan your current eyeglasses and read the prescription. You'll also submit a selfie photo to measure your pupillary distance (PD), the distance between your pupils.

How do I verify my eye prescription? ›

How can I find out my eye prescription? A person should always request their eyeglass or contact lens prescription from the office that performed their last eye exam. If people cannot access their prescription there are several companies who can provide one if a person has an up-to-date prescription lens.

Why does my vision seem worse with new glasses? ›

Many people experience vision changes and distortion when slipping on a brand-new pair of prescription eyeglasses. Don't worry: Most people adjust comfortably to new glasses within a day or two, and fully adjust within two weeks.

What is a bad astigmatism number? ›

75 diopters of astigmatism, and this is considered normal and will likely not require correction. Between . 75 and 2 diopters is considered mild astigmatism. Between 2 and 4 diopters is moderate astigmatism, and 4 or more diopters is considered significant or “bad” astigmatism.

Can an eye doctor tell how bad your vision is? ›

Comprehensive eye exam: Performed by an eye doctor and includes a series of routine vision tests that not only test how well you can see, but also check you for vision problems and eye diseases. This is often done once a year or once every two years.

Is it normal to see blurry with new glasses? ›

Please know that blurry vision with new glasses is extremely common. Whether it's getting used to a new prescription, a new eyeglass frame shape or size, new lenses, etc. it will take some time. Your new glasses are not necessarily poorly manufactured.

How long does it take for your eyes to adjust to a new prescription? ›

Most eye care professionals will tell you it will likely take two to three days to adjust to a normal change in your glasses prescription, but the adjustment period can last up to two weeks in some rare cases. If your eyes have not fully adjusted after two or three days, check in with your eye doctor.

What happens if you wear reading glasses that are too strong? ›

If the glasses have a strength that exceeds your actual visual acuity, they force your eyes to work harder. This can result in increased effort, manifesting in the form of headaches, eye fatigue, and even blurred vision. In the long term, overpowered reading glasses could even have harmful effects on your eyes.

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