You finally picked up your new glasses and you’re ready to see the world more clearly. Unfortunately, instead of crisp vision and comfort, you’re left with an unexpected side effect-a headache.
If you’re wondering why your new glasses are making your head throb, you’re not alone. Headaches from new glasses are more common than you might think, especially during the adjustment period.
The good news? In most cases, they headaches are temporary. Here’s what you need to know about why new glasses might be causing headaches, as well as when it’s time to check in with your eye doctor.
Your Eyes Are Adjusting to a New Prescription
One of the most common reasons for headaches after getting new glasses is simple: your eyes are adjusting to a new way of seeing.
Even a slight change in prescription, whether for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, can affect how your eyes work together. Your brain and visual system need time to recalibrate.
This is especially true if you haven’t worn glasses in a while, upgraded to a stronger prescription, or switched to a different lens type. Just like new shoes might cause some blisters at first, our glasses can cause pain as our bodies get used to them.
The adjustment period can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. In the meantime, you might experience eyestrain, blurred vision, or mild headaches.
You’re Wearing the Wrong Prescription
While a little discomfort is normal at first, persistent headaches could mean your prescription isn’t quite right.
Mistakes in lens measurements or slight changes in your vision between your eye exam and picking up your glasses can result in lenses that are too strong or not strong enough. While it is rare, it is also possible that an error happened while the lenses were made and they don’t have the correct prescription despite your prescription being correct on paper.
If you’re seeing double, have dizziness or nausea, eye strain that worsens throughout the day, or headaches that last longer than a few weeks, you could need a different prescription. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, call your eye doctor. A quick follow-up visit can confirm whether your glasses need adjusting.
Your Pupillary Distance (PD) May Be Off
Your pupillary distance is the space between the centers of your pupils. It’s important because it determines where the optical center of each lens should sit. If this measurement is even slightly off, your eyes may have to work harder to focus, leading to discomfort and, yes, headaches.
This is especially important for people with higher prescriptions, bifocals, or progressive lenses. An incorrect PD can throw off your entire visual experience.
You Have a New Lens Type
If this is your first time wearing progressive lenses or bifocals, it’s normal to feel a little off at first. These lenses require your eyes to learn how to move between different focal areas. You’ll look at one part of the lens for near or intermediate objects, and another for things in the distance.
Common symptoms during this adjustment period include headaches, depth perception issues, and the feeling of being off-balance. As you practice and using your lenses becomes second nature, these symptoms should pass.
Allow yourself at least a week or two to adapt, and ensure your glasses fit properly on your face. If the discomfort continues, your optometrist may need to fine-tune the lens design or placement.
Your Frame Fit is Off
Poorly fitting glasses aren’t just annoying, they can cause physical discomfort that triggers headaches or injuries.
If your frames are too tight, they may pinch behind your ears or press against your temples. If they sit crooked or too low, your eyes may not align with the optical centers of the lenses, making your visual system work harder than necessary.
Visit an optometry clinic or glasses store for an adjustment if your glasses are too loose or too tight. A proper fit can make a world of difference. Most clinics provide same day adjustments for free.
Blue Light and Digital Eye Strain
If your new glasses include blue light filtering lenses, they may help reduce digital eye strain, but they can also change how you perceive color or contrast initially. Some people are more sensitive to visual changes than others and this can cause discomfort.
Computer Vision Syndrome
Even with new lenses, spending long hours on digital screens can strain your eyes and lead to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). CVS includes the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Dry or watery eyes
- Blurred vision
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Eye strain
Make sure to take regular breaks using the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This will help whether you’re wearing blue light lenses or not.
As is the case with most new glasses headaches, time should resolve any sensitivity to new blue light filtering lenses. If it doesn’t, you could be experiencing CVS or another underlying condition.
Other Factors May Be Contributing
Sometimes, your glasses aren’t the only thing at play. Additional factors can contribute to headaches that just happen to coincide with new glasses. Common examples range from illnesses to underlying conditions to lifestyle choices.
Sinus Pressure or Allergies
Headaches are common for individuals with allergies, hay fever, or sinus infections. If you get new glasses while experiencing allergies or an upper respiratory infection, your illness or environment could be causing your headaches. If you still have a headache after other cold or allergy symptoms clear up, you know your prescription could be the culprit
Underlying Eye Conditions
A number of eye conditions include headaches as a symptom. That’s why it is important to track how long you have symptoms and see a doctor if they last longer than a few weeks after you start wearing new lenses.
If you experience anything unusual other than headaches, keep track of those symptoms as well. Many eye diseases and issues start with headaches, blurry vision, dry eyes, difficulty focusing, and other abnormalities.
Fatigue or Dehydration
Not getting enough sleep or water will cause most people to get a headache. New glasses can compound that problem. Getting adequate rest or hydrating can relieve head pain and help you understand if your new glasses are causing a problem or not.
Stress or Anxiety
Stress or anxiety can trigger headaches. Reducing stress and anxiety can be a harder fix than some of the other causes of a headache. Due to this, you might not be able to rule out your prescription being the issue without seeing an eye doctor if you are also stressed or anxious.
If your headaches continue even after your eye doctor confirms your prescription and fit are correct, it may be worth investigating other medical causes with a primary care physician or mental health professional.
When Should You Call Your Eye Doctor?
Some mild discomfort is normal when getting used to new glasses, but it shouldn’t last long.
You should schedule a follow-up appointment if:
- Headaches persist for more than a week or two
- Your vision remains blurry or distorted
- You feel dizzy or nauseous regularly
- Your glasses are uncomfortable despite adjustments
Your comfort is just as important as your clarity. A quick check-in can ensure your glasses are doing what they’re supposed to-helping you see clearly and feel your best.
A trip to your eye doctor can also help rule out any eye conditions. Once that is done you can see a doctor to see if another non-eye related condition is causing your pain.
Don’t Suffer Through the Discomfort
New glasses should make your life easier, not harder. If you’re experiencing headaches, there’s usually a fixable reason behind it. Whether it’s your prescription, your frame fit, or your lens design, your eye care team is here to help you make the adjustment as smooth as possible.
At Millcreek Family Eye Center, we take your vision and your comfort seriously. If you’re experiencing headaches from your new glasses, please give us a call. We’ll ensure everything is aligned-both literally and figuratively.
Ready to feel better in your glasses? Schedule an appointment today or stop by for a quick adjustment.
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