There are a few common reasons why your new glasses may seem too strong when you first start wearing them:
Your eyes need time to adjust
When you get a new eyeglasses prescription, it takes time for your eyes and brain to adjust to the change in vision. The stronger the prescription, the more time it usually takes to adapt. It’s normal for everything to look weird, blurry, or distorted at first. Give yourself at least 1-2 weeks of consistent wear for your eyes to fully adjust to your new prescription. Avoid taking the glasses off and on as this can prolong the adjustment period. As your eyes get used to the glasses, the vision should start to seem more natural and comfortable.
The prescription may be slightly off
It’s possible the prescription needs to be refined. Prescriptions are estimates to begin with, and sometimes small tweaks are needed to get the vision just right. This is especially true for first-time wearers. Go back to your eye doctor and explain exactly what seems off. They can do an exam to determine if the prescription needs adjustment. Even a small change of 0.25 or 0.5 diopter can make a difference in comfort.
You may need progressive lenses
If you got single vision lenses, these have the same prescription at all points. Your eyes have to strain to focus at different distances. If you do a lot of near and far viewing, progressive lenses provide a gradient so you can see clearly at varying distances. The transition between prescriptions is gradual so your eyes don’t have to work as hard. Talk to your eye doctor about whether progressives would be better for your needs.
The prescription is accurate but stronger than your old glasses
Sometimes stronger glasses really do take getting used to. If your old prescription was quite weak or out of date, a big jump in prescription strength can be jarring at first. Stick with the new glasses unless the eye doctor confirms issues with the prescription. Soon your eyes should adapt and the vision will start to feel normal.
You may need prism correction
Prisms are extra lenses ground into glasses to help correct alignment or convergence issues. If your eyes don’t work together properly to focus, images can seem doubled, blurry, or off. Prisms bend light to help your eyes point in the right direction. Ask your eye doctor about getting a prism lens test if vision still seems off after the standard prescription checks out.
The frame style or fit could be wrong
An improper frame size or style can distort vision, no matter how accurate the prescription. Make sure the frame sits correctly on your nose, with the lenses lining up squarely in front of your eyes. The frame should not dig into your nose or temples. Changing to a different frame shape or size can improve comfort dramatically.
When to go back to your eye doctor
If your glasses still don’t feel right after 2-3 weeks of regular wear, make an appointment with your eye doctor to discuss your concerns. Be prepared to explain exactly what seems wrong – do lights seem overly bright or glaring? Does reading give you a headache? Are distances distorted? This will help guide the necessary adjustments.
Don’t try to just “get used to” glasses that give you headaches, dizziness, eye strain, or distorted vision. Your doctor can tweak the prescription, change lens material, modify your frame style, or add specialty lenses like progressives or prisms to help make your glasses more comfortable and effective.
Signs your prescription needs adjustment:
- Headaches or eyestrain when wearing glasses
- Blurred vision, especially for reading
- Difficulty seeing distances clearly
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Images seem doubled, distorted, or off
- Squinting, tilting head, or rubbing eyes a lot
Don’t wait – persistent vision problems or discomfort could indicate something more serious. Schedule an exam so your doctor can determine if prescription tweaks are needed.
Tips for adjusting to stronger glasses
While you’re waiting for your eyes to adapt to a new prescription, there are a few tips that can help ease the transition:
Wear them consistently
It’s crucial to wear the glasses all day every day. Taking them off will interrupt the adjustment period. Wear them from the moment you wake up until bedtime.
Start slowly if very strong
If the prescription change is dramatic, start by wearing the new glasses in short intervals, like 15-30 minutes at a time. Slowly increase wear until you can tolerate them full-time.
Use over-the-counter reading glasses if needed
If your regular glasses make reading uncomfortable, get a cheap pair of pharmacy readers to use just for close work until your eyes acclimate.
Try motion sickness remedies
If you feel woozy or nauseous, take motion sickness medication and use remedies like cold compresses, fresh air, and ginger tea to ease symptoms.
Modify lighting conditions
Reduce glare and harsh lighting by using lamps, sitting out of direct sunlight, and utilizing anti-glare filters for screens.
Close one eye at a time
Cover one eye at a time to allow each eye to adjust separately. Switch back and forth between eyes.
Look into specialty lens options
Lens treatments like anti-reflective coating, tints, light-reactive lenses, and progressives can aid visual comfort.
Ask loved ones for their impressions
Get others’ objective feedback on whether your glasses seem to be working correctly for distance and near vision.
When stronger glasses are necessary
There are a few common reasons you may legitimately need stronger eyeglasses:
Your prescription worsened naturally
Most people’s vision declines over time due to aging. A stronger prescription helps correct this normal change.
You had a new medical condition
Some conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or pregnancy can impact vision and require stronger glasses.
You developed presbyopia
This age-related loss of near focus necessitates a boost in prescription strength for reading. It begins in your 40s.
Your old prescription was very outdated
Lenses need to get stronger if you’ve gone many years without an updated eye exam and glasses.
You had cataract surgery
Cataract removal artificially improves the focussing power of the eye, so stronger lenses help sharpen vision after this procedure.
You had refractive surgery
Though intended to reduce dependence on glasses, procedures like LASIK can require glasses with higher prescription strength afterwards.
You were prescribed prism lenses
Prism correction is added to bend light and help eye alignment, which results in stronger overall lens power.
You developed keratoconus
This progressive thinning of the cornea often necessitates frequent increases in contact lens or glasses prescription strength.
Don’t hesitate to wear the full strength your doctor prescribes. Stronger glasses pose no danger to your eyes and are designed to make seeing easier. Be patient during the adjustment phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my glasses hurt my eyes?
Glasses should not be painful if the prescription is accurate. Discomfort usually means the prescription needs adjustment, frame size/style is incorrect, or eyes need more time to adjust. See an optometrist promptly if glasses cause eye pain.
Can new glasses damage your eyes?
No, wearing glasses prescribed by your doctor will not harm your eyes or worsen vision. A proper prescription corrects and protects visual health. Staying in outdated or wrong glasses can strain eyes more.
How often do prescriptions get stronger?
On average, adults need stronger glasses every 1-3 years due to natural vision decline. Youth prescriptions may stay stable longer. Big health changes often necessitate quicker prescription boosts. Yearly eye exams over age 40 can determine if an update is warranted.
Can glasses really get “too strong”?
Glasses that seem too strong likely just need adjustment time. But confirm the prescription is accurate first. Refinement may be needed, especially if vision is still distorted after consistent wear. An exact prescription match is key.
Will I go blind without glasses?
No, not wearing prescribed glasses will not make you go blind. However, the right glasses prevent eye strain and keep vision as crisp as possible. Forgoing glasses can make daily tasks harder and increase accident risks. But glasses do not control whether you ultimately lose vision.
Why do my eyes hurt wearing new bifocals?
Your eyes need time to get used to bifocal or progressive lenses. The two prescription zones make your eyes work harder to switch focus. Give it at least 2 weeks of consistent wear for your eyes to adjust to the transition between distances. Headaches should subside as your eyes accommodate the lenses.
How do you know if your glasses are too strong?
Signs glasses may be over-corrected: squinting, tilting head, dizziness, eye strain, seeing halos around lights, problems with distances, removing glasses to read. See your optometrist to determine if prescription refinement is needed. Aim for crisp, comfortable vision at all ranges.
Should I just wear my old weaker glasses?
Do not wear outdated glasses. They likely strain your eyes more. If new glasses seem too strong, consistently wear them unless the doctor confirms issues with the prescription. Give your eyes 1-2 weeks to adapt before concluding the prescription needs tweaking.
Why do glasses make vision worse at first?
A new prescription can seem worse before it gets better as your eyes adjust. The stronger the prescription change, the longer adaptation takes. Stick with consistent wear for 1-2 weeks unless significant distortions or headaches persist. Then get your prescription double-checked.
How do you get used to bifocals or progressives?
Adapt to multi-focal lenses by looking through the proper zones for your viewing distance. Avoid tilting your head. Move your eyes more than your head to transition between zones. Start by using them only as needed until your eyes adjust to the variable focus. Be patient – it can take time to get accustomed to them.
Conclusion
New glasses often feel too strong at first, but this does not mean the prescription is necessarily wrong. Give your eyes 1-2 weeks to adapt to a new prescription. Make sure your frames fit properly and lenses are aligned. If vision is still uncomfortable or distorted after consistent wear, see your eye doctor to determine if refinement of the prescription, switch to progressives, or specialty treatments like prism are needed for maximum visual comfort and clarity. Be patient with the adjustment process. Let your doctor know right away if any eye pain or severe headaches develop. With time and the right prescription, your eyes should feel comfortable in your new glasses.
