How can I tell if my glasses prescription is wrong

If something seems off with your new prescription glasses, how can you tell whether you just need time to adjust to them or if the prescription is wrong? 

What could be wrong with your prescription glasses?

It is common for your eyes and brain to take some time to adjust to your new prescription glasses, especially if it’s your first pair of glasses or if it’s been a while since your prescription was updated. 

It can also take some time to adjust to different glasses frames. Changing to wrap-around frames can alter the curve of the glass. Changing from larger frames to smaller frames can affect lens thickness and your peripheral vision.

The biggest potential problem is a faulty prescription, because your eyes will not adjust to your new glasses. Errors can occur during your eye examination, where the optometrist interprets your answers about what you can and can’t see. If you scheduled your eye exam after work, when your eyes are tired and strained, it could skew the results of the exam. 

How long does it take to adjust to new glasses?

Until you adjust to your new prescription glasses, it might appear that your new glasses don’t correct your vision as well as your old pair. This is completely normal. Most people find that it can take anywhere from 5 minutes to a few days to adjust to their new prescription glasses.

However, if they are your first pair of glasses, if there is a large change in the prescription, or if you are changing to a progressive or multifocal lens, it can take 2-6 weeks or longer for your eyes and brain to adjust. Your optometrist will be able to advise you on how long it may take for you to adjust to your prescription glasses.

You will not be able to adjust to your glasses if the prescription is incorrect.

Is your glasses prescription wrong?

If you experience any of these symptoms for an extended period of time, after the adjustment period, your prescription may be incorrect:

Extreme blurring of vision
Lack of focus
Poor vision when one eye is closed
Excessive eye strain
Headaches or dizziness
Vertigo or nausea, unrelated to a medical condition

Remember, you know your body best, so if you think something is “off” with your prescription glasses it’s always best to seek advice from a qualified optometrist.