Why Are My New Eyeglasses Giving Me a Headache?

A headache caused by your new glasses may be the result of muscle strain, an incorrect prescription, or ill-fitting frames.

Perhaps you have known for some time that you need new eyeglass prescriptions. Perhaps you have been unaware until an eye exam revealed that your glasses are not providing optimal vision.

No matter how you go about it, you may be surprised to discover that your new, highly anticipated prescription glasses cause blurry vision, make it difficult to see through, or cause headaches.

You may even feel dizzy or nauseated when you receive a new prescription for eyeglasses.

If you are experiencing headaches that are causing you to revert to using your old lenses, you may be wondering if something has gone wrong. Before you do so, make sure you understand what might be causing your headaches and what you can do to eliminate them.

What might be causing your headaches?

A number of factors may contribute to headaches caused by new eyeglasses.

Muscle strain

Having a new prescription requires your eyes to work harder or differently than they did in the past as your eyes learn how to see the world differently.

A person who is wearing glasses for the first time or whose prescription has changed significantly may be more susceptible to this side effect.

Multiple lens powers

First-time wearers may experience difficulty adjusting to bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses.

• Bifocals have two distinct lens powers.

• Trifocals have three distinct lens powers.

• Progressives are known as no-line bifocals, or as multifocals. They offer a smoother transition between lens powers so that you can see near, far, and medium distances.

Multiple lens powers enable glasses to correct multiple vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness.

If you wish to obtain the best vision correction from your lenses, you must look through them in just the right spot. The bottom of the lenses can be used for reading and working close up. The top of the lenses can be used for driving and distance viewing.

Bifocals, trifocals, and progressive lenses may cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea during the adjustment period.

Poorly fitted frames

As a result of purchasing new glasses, you will need to purchase new frames as well as a new prescription. If your glasses are too tight around your nose or create pressure behind your ears, you may suffer from headaches.

Your eyeglasses should be fitted by a trained professional in order to ensure that they fit correctly and are at the correct distance from your pupils.

You may be able to readjust your glasses to fit your face more comfortably if they feel uncomfortable or leave pinch marks on your nose. This should alleviate the headaches you are experiencing.

Wrong prescription

Although you strive to provide accurate information during an eye exam, there is always the possibility of human error. This can sometimes lead to prescriptions that are not as accurate as they should be.

The distance between your pupils (interpupillary distance) may also have been measured incorrectly by your doctor. This measurement must be precise to avoid eye strain.

It is likely that you will suffer from headaches if your eyeglass prescription is too weak or too strong.

In most cases, headaches caused by new eyeglasses subside within a short period of time. However, if yours do not, your eyes may need to be retested in order to determine whether the prescription is to blame.

Tips for Preventing Headaches

Eyeglass headaches can be prevented or reduced by following these tips:

Put away your old glasses

It is best not to succumb to temptation and reach for your old glasses. You will only prolong the headache if you do so.

The best way to adjust your eyes to your new prescription is to wear your new glasses as frequently as you wore your old glasses.

Throughout the day, rest your eyes as necessary

You need to rest your eye muscles just as you would any other muscle.

The best way to relieve eye strain, tension, and headaches is to take off your glasses and sit in the dark for 15 minutes as needed throughout the day.

An eyeglass headache can be alleviated by anything that helps your eyes feel rested, such as a cool compress.

Choose antireflective lenses for lengthy computer use

When you sit in front of a computer screen for long periods of time, you may experience eye strain and headaches. This may be exacerbated by the additional strain caused by adjusting to a new prescription.

A high-quality, anti-reflective coating will help reduce the amount of glare on the computer screen, reducing some of the stress on your eyes.

Make sure your eyeglasses are fitted properly

It is recommended that you have your eyeglass frames refitted and adjusted if they are too tight, pinching your nose, or pressing behind your ears.

Take OTC medications to relieve headache pain

To relieve headache pain, take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.

Consult an eye doctor

If headaches, dizziness, or nausea persist after a week, call your physician. It may take a few days for your body to adjust to your new prescription.

If you require a new eye exam to determine whether your prescription needs to be adjusted or if your frames are not fitting properly, you should schedule one.

What about tinted glasses for migraine?

Those who suffer from migraine attacks may worry that a new eyeglass prescription will trigger the attack.

If this is the case, you should consult your doctor about wearing tinted lenses that block out harmful light wavelengths. Many migraine sufferers have reported that these harmful light wavelengths cause migraines when they come in contact with them.

Based on a small study from True Source, tinted eyeglasses were found to be effective in reducing the frequency of migraines by reducing visual distortion and improving clarity and comfort.

Key takeaways

It is common to experience headaches as a result of acquiring a new eyeglass prescription. These headaches usually subside after a few days as your eyes adjust.

It is recommended that you contact your eye doctor if your headaches do not subside within a week, especially if you are also feeling dizzy or nauseated. Your doctor may be able to adjust the frames, lenses, or prescription to alleviate the headaches.