How Long Will it Take to Adjust to New Glasses?

Is It Normal to Struggle With New Glasses?

It may take time to adjust to new glasses, and the amount of time it takes differs depending on the person. Some people don't have to adjust at all.

If this is your first time wearing glasses, it may take longer to get used to them. If your prescription is very strong, that may also contribute to a longer adjustment period.

Either way, it’s normal to struggle with new glasses during the adjustment period.

If you need glasses, you’re not alone. More than 4.2 million Americans aged 40 years and older are either legally blind or have low vision.¹

Wearing glasses can help treat common eye disorders by improving your vision while wearing them. But it may take a while to get used to them.⁵

You should get used to wearing new glasses within about 2 weeks, if it takes any time at all.

Common Problems While Adjusting to New Glasses

Here are some common problems you may experience while adjusting to new glasses:

Distortion. Objects may look warped or wavy to you.
Depth perception. You may have trouble determining how close or far away objects are from you.
Fishbowl effect. Images may appear as though you’re looking through a fishbowl lens.
Tired eyes. Your eyes may feel strained because they’re working hard to adjust.
Headaches. Eye strain can lead to headaches as you’re getting used to new glasses.
Nausea. If objects appear distorted or you cannot get your bearings, you may feel nauseous.
Dizziness. Viewing objects that look warped to you through your new glasses may cause dizziness.

If you notice that these problems are not improving over time, contact your eye care doctor. If your vision or any of the above symptoms seem to worsen, you should also reach out to your doctor.

How Do I Know If My Prescription Is Wrong?

If your prescription is wrong, you will absolutely have trouble getting used to new glasses. Your eyes will not get used to wearing glasses if they are the wrong prescription, no matter how long you wear them.

You can usually tell if your prescription is wrong by looking out for these key signs:^{2, 3}

Extreme blurry vision
Seeing double
Lack of focus
Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea
Excessive eye strain

Contact your doctor if you’re worried that your prescription is too weak or strong for your vision.

You may need a different type of glasses. There are two main types of eyeglasses:

Single-vision glasses. These have lenses that are designed to help you see either close up or far away.⁴
Multifocal glasses. These can correct both near and distance vision with the same lenses. One section is focused for near vision, and the other is focused for distance vision. There are different types of multifocal glasses, like bifocal glasses and progressive lenses.⁴

Talk to your doctor about which glasses are right for you.

How Can I Get Used to My Glasses Fast?

Getting used to your new glasses can take some time. To get used to them quicker, follow these tips:

Make sure to wear your prescription glasses regularly, as prescribed
Keep your glasses in a case to prevent the lenses from getting scratched
Clean your prescription glasses properly with an antimicrobial glasses wipe
Make sure you find glasses frames that fit your face comfortably
Don’t go back to your old glasses while trying to break in a new pair of glasses

Your eyes adjust over time. The adjustment period for new prescription glasses may be a few days or up to 2 weeks.

When to See a Doctor

If new problems, like increased blurry vision, arise as you start to use your prescription lenses, see your eye doctor. If discomfort persists for 2 weeks or more, you should also contact your eye care specialist about other options.

You may need a different prescription or new frames. You may also choose to explore alternatives like contact lenses.

Summary

It is completely normal to struggle while getting used to new prescription lenses. It can take time to adjust to wearing them and seeing through them. The adjustment period for new lenses differs for everyone.

If you are not getting used to them over time, talk to your eye doctor. You may need another prescription for your new lenses or just a different shape or size.

Call your eye doctor if your vision worsens while adjusting to new glasses.

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