Why do I get dizzy with my new glasses? How to adjust?

For some people, getting new glasses can produce some uncomfortable symptoms: dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, eye fatigue, eyes out of focus, distorted view of objects and other conditions.

The girl is sitting at the table with her new glasses on and she's a little dizzy

Causes Of Dizziness With New Glasses

Inappropriate prescription for new glasses: If the prescription of your new glasses does not match the actual prescription of your eyes, it may cause dizziness. This may be caused by an inaccurate optometry or an error in the fitting process. It is recommended that you have a new optometrist or visit a dispensing optician to check that the prescription of your glasses is correct.

New glasses with inappropriate frames: If the frames of your new eyeglasses don’t fit properly, such as if they are too tight or too loose, it may cause dizziness. In addition, if the shape or size of the frame does not fit your face, it may also cause dizziness. It is recommended that you visit a dispensary to have the size and shape of the frame adjusted to ensure that it fits your face.

Inappropriate lens type for new eyeglasses: If you previously wore single-vision lenses and have switched to progressive or bifocal lenses, it may take some time to adjust to the new lens type. Progressive lenses and bifocals produce a different effect visually and may take some time to get used to.

Why Is There An Adjustment Period For Wearing New Glasses?

Since we got new prescription glasses, we gave our eyes a new environment.

The frames are different. The shape of the frame may be different from the old frames, the weight of the glasses is different, new materials (acetate, PC, TR, titanium, stainless steel, etc.) are used, and the experience of wearing them is different from the old glasses before.

Differences in lenses. With new prescription eyeglasses, the parameters of your lenses change, the refractive index, light transmission, and clarity parameters change. In addition to the change in parameters brought about by the change in your eyeglasses’ vision, the lenses from different manufacturers are slightly different in terms of wearer experience.

For these reasons, getting new glasses is equivalent to giving our eyes a new environment. The system of the eyes and the brain is not yet well adapted to the current new environment and needs to be given time to adapt. Most people will gradually adapt within half a month.

Tips To Speed Up The Adjustment To New Glasses

  1. Start wearing your new glasses as soon as you open your eyes in the morning so that you can get used to them faster than if you start in the middle of the day.
  2. When you first start using your new glasses, you can wear them sitting down, such as when you are looking at the computer or reading a book, and then you can wear them outside when you feel better or wear them for sports.
Girl wearing glasses sitting at a table reading

Eyecare Tips

The adjustment period for new glasses varies from person to person, from as little as one day to as little as about two weeks. If your discomfort with new glasses is severe and lasts for a long time, it is recommended that you go to an eye clinic for a new prescription.