Most people who wear glasses are familiar with the excitement of 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 feel dizzy after prolonged wear.

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 new eyewear, whether you are increasing your prescription or wearing eyeglasses for the first time. Even if you are getting glasses with the same prescription, different frames or lenses can alter your vision until you adjust to the new style or lens type.

Progressive lenses tend to be the most difficult to adjust to, related to the peripheral soft focus zones.

Common Visual Symptoms During Adjustment

• Eye strain and headaches
• Blurry vision
• Trouble with depth perception, nausea, and dizziness
• Barrel distortion — objects appear distorted with high plus lenses
• Fishbowl effect — the feeling that your visual field is bent along the edges, common with high minus prescriptions

Why Do New Glasses Give Me a Headache?

Fatigued eye muscles can cause headaches. Your brain is also working hard to create a clear picture from the new messages it is 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. Your brain may need time to understand how to interpret the new images it's receiving.

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. Discomfort that lasts longer than a couple of weeks means it's time to call your optometrist.

If you need new glasses or are having a hard time adjusting to a new pair, contact Dayton Optometric Center in Kettering, Ohio. Call us at (937) 228-2020.