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Can New Reading Glasses Make You Dizzy? What You Need to Know

Vision is an incredibly complex process; it involves your eyes, which take in the light and convert it into neural impulses, which are then processed and interpreted by the brain. Our eyes also allow us to orient and maneuver through space better. In fact, having two front-facing eyes gives humans incredible depth perception, which was crucial for our ancestors’ activities like hunting and gathering.

You may wonder what happens when that depth perception is compromised. Our brain is capable of taking in two separate images and aligning them into a single image. That’s easier said than done with certain eye conditions, especially if you have a depth perception issue, but in nearly all cases, the brain will try to compensate.

This can cause eye strain and fatigue, but your brain will go through an adaptation process while trying to compensate for a clear image. This might sound like a good thing, but it actually does more harm than good. When you get a new pair of reading glasses, you may discover that they induce dizziness after wearing them for a short period of time. Here’s what you need to know about this occurrence:

What Causes Dizziness When Wearing New Reading Glasses?

Experiencing dizziness after buying a new pair of reading glasses, such as blue-light filtering computer readers or just typical reading glasses, could be a consequence of several different things. 

Suppose you had a depth perception issue, like we described above. Your brain spent all that time trying to compensate and adapt, and then you suddenly equip your new eyewear, and the brain now has to readjust. Your new eyeglasses provide you with a sharpened depth perception, and your brain interprets it as experiencing motion sickness.

This is a perfectly normal occurrence, and the dizziness induced by your new computer reading glasses or just about any type of corrective eyewear typically lasts from a couple of days to a full week, and in some cases, even two weeks. The reason it takes so long is because the brain takes time to adjust to the new visual input.

It’s important to know that symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, visual distortion, or eye strain are perfectly normal as long as they don’t last longer than a couple of days to a whole week. If the symptoms you’re experiencing, such as dizziness, don’t improve, check in with your eye doctor, as there might be an issue with your new peepers. 

How Long Does It Take to Get Used to New Reading Glasses?

Dizziness caused by transitioning to new reading glasses is a common issue faced by many individuals. The process of adapting to a new pair of reading glasses typically lasts for a couple of days, but it’s important to note that this actually varies from one individual to the other. 

This is particularly true if you have astigmatism, a common refractive error that implies that some part of your eye is more curved than it should be. It’s also prevalent if you’re switching from single-vision to bifocal lens type or progressive lenses, in which case getting used to a new pair of your favorite designer reading glasses with retro tortoise-shell frames, might take up to a month. 

It’s also possible that you’ve been given the wrong diopter strength, in which case you’ll need an additional eye care exam to double-check. Perhaps the lenses aren’t correct, or the magnification strength isn’t adequate, or perhaps the lenses aren’t properly fitted. In either case, we strongly recommend seeking professional help if the symptoms last longer than a week. Perhaps you just need more time to adapt to your new reading glasses—and you can do so faster by actually wearing them. 

How to Prevent or Reduce Dizziness When Wearing New Reading Glasses?

Transitioning to a new set of reading glasses, be they high-quality blue light-blocking reading sunglasses or corrective aviators with anti-glare for driving, can be challenging. Not only are you burdened with picking up a frame that matches your face shape, but you also have to pay a little extra for scratch-resistant lenses and spring hinges, and now your new glasses make you dizzy and give you headaches. 

This is perfectly normal for both men and women, and unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do in terms of preventing it, assuming that you received the correct diopters. 

The most important thing to remember is to be patient and remain persistent. Avoid going back and forth between your new glasses and old ones, as this will only make it more difficult for your eyes to adjust to the new glasses. As uncomfortable as it may seem, wearing your glasses is the only way to get accustomed and comfortable with your new set.

Wear your new glasses often, especially in the morning when your eyes are rested. Be sure to practice good eye care by taking breaks regularly to rest your eyes. Don’t forget that good-quality sleep and hydration are also very important. It’s also good practice to avoid driving or operating machinery while you’re adjusting to the new pair of glasses. 

When to See a Doctor for Dizziness with New Reading Glasses

While it’s perfectly normal to experience dizziness, nausea, and headaches while adjusting to the new pair of reading glasses, if you end up with the symptoms that don’t go away or improve over the course of a few days, contact your eye doctor, or even your medical doctor.

The problem might be with the glasses themselves, or there might be some underlying medical issue that needs attention. The bottom line is that you shouldn’t ignore any symptoms that last longer than a week, as this could lead to further issues down the line. 

Summary

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If you’re feeling dizzy or nauseous, or you’re experiencing headaches after getting a new pair of glasses, don’t hesitate to contact ICU Eyewear. We offer a wide selection of the best reading glasses and blue light glasses at affordable prices.

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