How Do I Know If My Glasses Prescription Is Wrong?

Getting new glasses is supposed to be exciting. After all, they’re meant to help you see clearly and reduce eye strain. But what happens when things feel… off? Maybe your vision still seems blurry or wearing your glasses gives you headaches. Could your prescription be wrong?

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.

Optometry offices, like Total Vision Pacific EyeCare, offer comprehensive exams to ensure your prescription is accurate and your glasses work as they should. If your vision still isn’t clear or your glasses don’t feel quite right, scheduling an appointment with your eye doctor can help you find a solution and get back to seeing comfortably.

Signs Your Glasses Prescription Might Be Wrong

1. Blurry Vision Even with New Glasses

If your prescription is correct, everything should appear sharp and clear when you’re wearing your glasses. But if you’re still struggling with blurry vision, your lenses might not match your vision needs. While it’s normal for your eyes to take a couple of days to adjust to new glasses, extended or persistent blurriness could indicate a problem.

This might mean the prescription itself was incorrect, the lenses were incorrectly manufactured, or your measurements (like pupillary distance) were slightly off.

2. Frequent Headaches or Eye Strain

Does wearing your new glasses leave you with a lingering headache? Or maybe your eyes feel fatigued and strained, especially after long use? These symptoms are common signs that your prescription isn’t quite right.

For example, if your lenses are too strong or too weak, your eyes may work overtime trying to focus correctly, leading to discomfort.

3. Dizziness or Feeling Off-Balance

Some people experience dizziness, vertigo, or even nausea when their vision isn’t properly aligned. This can happen if your prescription is significantly incorrect or if you have specific vision conditions (like astigmatism), and the lenses don’t account for these needs properly.

This effect might also come from poorly fitted glasses, as misaligned lenses won’t sit in your direct line of sight.

4. Difficulty Focusing at Certain Distances

If you notice yourself squinting or struggling to see clearly at specific distances, whether reading a book up close or viewing the TV across the room, your glasses might not cater to your vision needs.

For example, if you were prescribed single-vision lenses but need bifocal or progressive lenses, you might struggle to focus both near and far.

5. Double Vision or Visual Distortions

Seeing double? Or maybe your vision feels wobbly, stretched, or has odd distortions around the edges of your lenses? These are red flags that something isn’t quite right.

Double vision or distortions can happen when the lenses don’t perfectly align with your eyes, often due to prescription errors or miscalculations in lens placement.

6. Increased Light Sensitivity or Glare Issues

Are you suddenly finding yourself squinting excessively in bright sunlight or under artificial lights? Increased sensitivity to light or bothersome glare could signal an issue with your prescription or coating choices.

For example, overlooked requirements for anti-glare or blue light protection can make everyday activities uncomfortable.

7. Uncomfortable Fit or Eye Fatigue

While not directly related to the prescription itself, poorly fitting glasses can contribute to eye strain and fatigue.

For example, if your frames keep slipping or pressing too tightly, you might not look through the lenses’ focal point correctly. This misalignment can negatively affect your vision and leave you feeling uncomfortable.

Why Glasses Prescriptions Can Change Over Time

Even if your glasses prescription was perfectly accurate when issued, your vision isn’t static. Here are a few reasons glasses prescriptions may change:

1. Age: Many people develop age-related vision changes, such as presbyopia, in their 40s or beyond. This makes reading up close more difficult over time. 
2. Health conditions: Chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension can affect your vision and require adjustments to your glasses prescription. 
3. Eye Strain: Spending long hours on screens or working in dim lighting can lead to eye strain that changes your vision over time. 
4. Natural progression: Vision problems like nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia) can naturally progress, especially in younger people.

What to Do If Your Glasses Don’t Feel Right

If you suspect your glasses prescription is wrong, don’t worry, it’s fixable! Here’s what to do:

1. Give it time: Adjusting to new glasses can sometimes take a few days to a week. If your symptoms go away after this period, you’re likely fine.
2. Double-check lens measurements: Make sure your glasses were manufactured correctly. Errors in your pupillary distance or lens alignment can play a role, even if your prescription is accurate.
3. Contact your optician: If the problem persists, reach out to wherever you purchased your glasses. They can recheck your lenses, frames, and measurements to rule out manufacturing or fitting errors.
4. Schedule a follow-up eye exam: If nothing else seems wrong, it may be time to revisit your eye doctor to confirm your prescription. Health changes or other underlying conditions could impact your vision.

The sooner you address these issues, the quicker you’ll get back to seeing the world clearly! If your glasses aren’t working as they should, don’t settle for discomfort. Book an appointment with Total Vision Pacific EyeCare for support.