You see double with new glasses because your brain needs time to adjust to the new prescription, lens design, or frame fit, causing temporary visual confusion, but it can also signal an issue like a prescription error, incorrect lens placement, or eye misalignment, so if it doesn't resolve within a couple of weeks, see your optometrist. This adjustment period involves your brain recalibrating how it processes images through the new lenses, leading to distortion, dizziness, or even the feeling of double vision as it adapts.
But sometimes, new glasses can bring about uncomfortable symptoms. This may include blurry vision, double vision, and headaches. These symptoms may happen because your frames don't fit correctly, your prescription is incorrect, or more time is required to adjust to your new glasses.
“Double vision could be due to a head injury, eye injury or a stroke,” Hopkins said. “It can also happen if the eyes are focusing too hard and even sometimes because glasses are needed. If the double vision goes away when an eye is covered, it is probably an eye muscle problem.”
Blurry vision, headaches, or difficulty focusing could mean your prescription isn't quite right. Sometimes, adjusting to new lenses takes a little time, but if discomfort lingers, it's worth checking in with your eye doctor.
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.
But if the lens power exceeds what your eyes actually require, it can create visual distortions and discomfort.
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.
5 Signs It's Time for a New Corrective Lens Prescription
What can wrong prescription glasses cause?
Common Signs of a Wrong Glasses Prescription
The three most important 'red flag' symptoms that indicate that a patient may need neuro-ophthalmological assessment are: Sudden onset of double vision (diplopia) Headache accompanied by vision loss (without an ocular cause) Visual loss after ocular causes have been excluded.
The doctor may recommend using a soft patch with an elastic headband. Opaque tape attached to an eyeglass lens can have the same effect. Occlusion therapy is typically used until double vision resolves. Your doctor monitors your progress during follow-up visits, which typically occur every two to three months.
Double Vision Caused by Lens Problems
The most common lens problem that can cause double vision is a cataract, a clouding of the normally clear lens due to aging. Our eye surgeons can remove cataracts in an outpatient surgery. Learn more about cataract surgery.
In most cases, your double vision will begin to reduce and eventually go away after a couple of weeks of adjustment. If, however, your eyes have not adjusted after a month, it's time to take action. Get your eyes re-checked to see whether your prescription is right.
What are the symptoms of presbyopia?
What are prism lenses? Prism lenses are specialized lenses prescribed by eye doctors for the treatment of double vision and other severe binocular vision difficulties. Prisms correct eye alignment by “tricking” the brain into perceiving that an image is located in a different location or position.
Blurred vision, particularly when looking at objects up close or at varying distances, can indicate that your glasses are overcorrected. Your lenses should provide clear vision without causing distortion or focusing issues.
Richard Headland, Which? magazine editor, said: “We rely on opticians to provide us with care and advice we can trust. “Our research, while only a snapshot, shows some shocking findings including too many instances of inaccurate prescriptions, inconsistent advice and failure to provide the correct eye tests.
A value up to 2.50 is considered moderate; anything above 2.50 may be considered severe. The third number (axis) reflects the orientation of your astigmatism. LASIK or PRK can treat the widest range of prescriptions from -14 through +6.
Specsavers will issue a full refund or replacement of goods in all instances where: prescription glasses/sunglasses or contact lenses are supplied to the wrong prescription/specification.
OD (Oculus Dexter): Refers to the right eye. OS (Oculus Sinister): Refers to the left eye. OU (Oculus Uterque): Refers to both eyes.
Top Tips for Getting the Most Accurate Eye Exam Results
Other symptoms of a wrong prescription include difficulty reading, seeing double, and experiencing frequent headaches. In some cases, you might also notice physical symptoms. For example, you might find that your eyes are red and irritated, or you might experience nausea or dizziness.
Lots of optometrists will give you a copy of your prescription but not include your PD. That's because they know that, armed with both, you can order glasses online which hurts their bottom line. So the next time you get your eyes checked don't forget to ask them for your ”PD” measurement.
Try not to panic immediately.
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.