The symptoms are unmistakable, and occur from the moment you put on your new pair of glasses; objects seem either too close or farther away than they should, or move at a bit of a blur.
Are My New Glasses Too Strong?
Your vision seems super-sensitive, hyperactive. Sometimes people describe the effect as “tunnel vision.” It could be any or all of the above.
However the condition manifests itself in your case, you’ll know it when it happens. Your brand new glasses simply feel too strong. What happened? Was a mistake made in cutting the prescription, creating lenses that are a diopter or two off from your required vision correction setting? Did the optical exam you recently underwent miss something, or misdiagnose your prescription?
It’s possible. Mistakes like that do happen. Your prescription can be slightly off even if no error is made at the eye exam; if, for example, your eyes are tired after a long day when you had the exam performed. (It’s recommended that you try to schedule an optical examination when your eyes are “fresh,” such as in the early morning or during days when you won’t be spending several hours at a computer monitor.) Sometimes mistakes of the old-school variety at to blame – poor handwriting on a prescription form, miscalibrated machinery, etc.
These problems, however, are relatively few and far between. What’s more likely is that you simply need time to adjust to your new lenses. If you’ve had any change in prescription strength, for either eye, your eyes need an adjustment period to become acclimated to those changes. Light is now being directed through your eyes’ lenses just a little bit differently than it used to; the muscles that position the eye and the photoreceptors that process the information need to compensate for these developments.
Even if your prescription stays exactly the same, new glasses can seem strong and somewhat “off” for a period of time. Lenses change with age – minute scratches, fading, and gradual yellowing alter them very slightly over the years, and your brand new lenses are crisp and clear. The difference might not be obvious, but it’s there. Vision is also altered by other factors, such as additional tints or coatings on your new lenses that weren’t present on your old pair of glasses. Even different frames or lens shapes can alter the way your eye process visual information, requiring an adjustment period for you to get accustomed to new glasses.
Regardless of the reason, the feeling that your glasses are too strong should gradually dissipate, and by two or three days of constant use, your eyes should completely adjust to the new lenses. If they do not, a revisit to your optometrist may be in order to confirm your prescription or determine if the lenses are at fault. Just be sure to wear the new glasses throughout the adjustment period. It’s tempting to switch back to your old familiar pair, but doing will reset your eyes’ new training period.
Nina says:
January 27, 2024 at 4:25 pm
I am 50 years old, ADD power on my eyes was 0.75 till yesterday Dr. switched to 2.00 just based on my age. I told him twice that they are too strong, but he keeps arguing that they are ok according to my age. They are really too strong. I can easily get away with 1.00 or 1.25. What do I do?
Lucy walters says:
November 1, 2023 at 5:29 am
Had new glasses, prescription and bifocals. Find they to stong on both . need advice . i got stigmatisms too. , feel slightly sick slight headache and just feel lenses bit strong. Will my eyes adjust soon please
b.kotian says:
November 8, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Hi Lucy Walters,
Your eyes might need a couple of days to get used to the new glasses. If not, see your eye doctor. Stick with the new glasses to help your eyes adjust.
Dale says:
September 19, 2023 at 2:23 am
I always look forward to a new prescription.
I like the new crispness of vision, and the minification of objects.
If I can talk the doctor into giving me a bit more minus than required all the better, and the time between requiring a new prescription is a bit longer.
The getting used to is just a part of worsening vision, and stronger glasses to correct it.
Cris says:
April 8, 2023 at 11:53 pm
I started wearing my new glasses yesterday but they feel too strong… I feel nauseated, dizzy, lightheaded and disoriented.. I want to throw them in the bin and use my old ones… I don’t think I can persevere with them for much longer…
SanMartin says:
April 10, 2023 at 9:34 am
Hi Chris,
There is a two-week period for your eyes to adapt yo the new glasses. If, after this period, the condition persist, you should get your prescription checked.
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FAQs
What's more likely is that you simply need time to adjust to your new lenses. If you've had any change in prescription strength, for either eye, your eyes need an adjustment period to become acclimated to those changes.
What to do if new glasses are 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 long should new glasses feel weird? ›
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.
How do I know if my new glasses prescription is wrong? ›
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.
Answer: Some people may experience a distortion of their peripheral vision after receiving a new glasses prescription. This is a fairly common occurrence that can be a result of the adjustment period as your eyes get used to the new prescription.
Can opticians get your prescription wrong? ›
For established eye care laboratories and doctors, fabrication and prescription mistakes are uncommon. But they do occur, as humans are involved. In these cases, your eye care professional can help make things right.
How do I make my new glasses less tight? ›
To loosen tight glasses, run them under warm water for about 30 seconds, then grip the part of the arm located near the temple and bend them in a slightly upward motion. If your glasses are too loose, follow the same procedure, but bend the arms in a downward motion to tighten them up.
What is the fishbowl effect with new glasses? ›
Fishbowl effect
This is when the images you see through your lenses seem to bend at the edges as if you were looking through a fishbowl at the world. Wearing your new glasses frequently will help you get used to them if you're having problems with the fishbowl effect or other things.
What is the fishbowl effect? ›
Frame Curvature: Going from a frame that is flat across the frame front to a curved or wrapped frame can cause some discomfort, or what some describe as the fishbowl effect, this is most common when going from clear prescription glasses to prescription sunglasses. It is caused by looking through a curved lens.
How long does it take for new glasses to stop hurting? ›
For many people, it typically takes between a few days to a week to adjust to your new glasses. If this adjustment time is longer, it might be worth scheduling a follow-up appointment with your eye doctor to ensure your glasses are optimal for your vision.
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.
Can your eyes adjust to the wrong prescription? ›
Wearing the wrong prescription eyeglasses can damage the eyes. It can take a few days or weeks to adjust to new glasses. If you still cannot see well with your glasses after a few weeks, your prescription may be too weak or too strong. This happens sometimes, and it can cause headaches, eye strain, and fatigue.
How to tell if your glasses PD are wrong? ›
If you're wearing glasses made using an incorrect PD measurement, you'll probably notice symptoms related to the misalignment. Those include eyestrain, headaches and distortions in your vision. These symptoms aren't dangerous, but they also aren't pleasant.
Is it normal to feel like new glasses are too strong? ›
Adapting to your new glasses takes time because your brain and eyes have to adjust to the changes. This can occur if there is a change in prescription (stronger or lower), astigmatism correction, a change in frame size, or you have gotten used to overcompensation for lower visual acuity.
What are the symptoms of adjusting to new glasses? ›
The bottom line is to give it time. Slight dizziness, blurriness, and fatigue are common symptoms during the adjustment period. But if your symptoms still persist after a few days to a few weeks, it's time to call your optometrist.
Why do my glasses feel stronger than my contacts? ›
In general, the prescriptive power of a contact lens will be somewhat less nearsighted than eyeglasses. So in most simple words, the power of a contact lens will be lower than the eyeglass prescription. Reason being the distance of the lenses from the surface of the eyes.
How bad is a 0.75 eye prescription? ›
Most people have a mild prescription, between 0.5 to 0.75 D. They may not really notice it in their daily lives. People with a measurement of more than . 75 D may need contacts or eyeglasses to correct their vision to see clearly.
Why is my vision worse after getting new glasses? ›
The familiarization period
So it's completely normal if you can only see the frame rim of your glasses when you first put them on. The reason for this lies in the brain's visual center. It first needs to adapt to the new, greatly improved visual conditions.
How can I make my new glasses more comfortable? ›
Adjusting the nose pads on your glasses can make your eye glasses more comfortable for you. If the glasses are too high on your face and pinching the bridge of your nose then you can widen the nose pads by pushing them further apart. (Plastic nose pads built into the frame need to be heated first.)
What happens if your glasses are too heavy? ›
If your glasses are too heavy, they can cause pain even if you wear your glasses properly on your nose. Heavy glasses can weigh on the nose and cause pain. If you notice indentations from your glasses' nose pads, then there's a good chance your glasses are too heavy.
