Why Does It Take Time to Adjust to New Glasses?

When you get a new prescription, your eyes and brain need to learn to work together again with the new information they’re receiving.  This can happen if there is a change in prescription (stronger or lower), astigmatism correction, a change in frame size, or if your eyes muscles have gotten used to over-focusing while using an outdated prescription.

How long does it take to adjust to new glasses?

While in most cases, adapting to a new pair of glasses can be close to instantaneous, it often can take 2-3 weeks to fully adjust to a new pair.

How do I know if I’m Having Trouble Adjusting to My New Glasses?

Common symptoms include: 

• Difficulty focusing through your new prescription

• Mild visual distortions, such as a “fishbowl effect” that makes the edges of your field of vision slightly bent  

• Eye strain or the eyes feeling “tired”

• Sense of things being magnified

• Warping

• Dizziness or “swimmy” feeling 

• Nausea

• Headaches

Trust that with consistent wear of your new glasses, most of these issues will self-resolve within 1-2 weeks.

What’s the easiest and fastest way to get used to my new glasses?

Even though it’s annoying, it is very normal to need a little time to adjust to your new glasses.  See below for what you can do to make things as smooth as possible.

Make Yourself a Consistent Schedule for Wearing Your Glasses

If your vision feels a little strange in your new glasses, make yourself a regular schedule for wearing them.  At first, this should be just when you’re at home. Not wearing your glasses regularly makes it harder for your eyes to adjust to the prescription, so wear them every day for at least an hour.

Gradually Increase the Amount of Time You Wear Your Glasses

At first, keep your glasses on for a couple of hours a day at home, then slowly work up to all-day wear, and wear them for work or school.

Try Not to Wear Your Old Glasses

Switching between new and old glasses confuses your eyes and brain, and will slow down how quickly you can get used to your new prescription.

Call Us if You’re Still Having Trouble

Adjusting to new glasses can take up to a few weeks, but shouldn’t take longer than that.  If you continue to struggle with your glasses for much longer than that, you should have us double check your prescription and lenses in person.

help for new progressive lens patients

Progressives can take some getting used to. Watch the video for helpful adjustment tips from Dr. Goswick.