Total Vision Campbell
Blog Hero

How Long Does it Take to Adjust to New Glasses?

Book Appointment
A young woman sitting by the table took off her new glasses, experiencing headaches and massaging her temples.

If you’ve ever gotten a new prescription for your glasses, you’ve likely encountered some uncomfortable experiences, like headaches or distorted vision, while getting used to them. But how long is it considered normal for this to last while you adjust to your new glasses?

For many people, it typically takes between a few days to a week to adjust to your new glasses. If this adjustment time is longer, it might be worth scheduling a follow-up appointment with your eye doctor to ensure your glasses are optimal for your vision. 

There are many different reasons why you may need to have corrective glasses. Your optometrist can determine your vision needs through a comprehensive eye exam. From various eye diseases to digital eye strain, corrective glasses can help you see the world more clearly and comfortably. 

What Happens to My Vision When I Have New Glasses? 

When you get new glasses, there is typically a period of adjustment for your eyes to get used to your new vision. If you have never worn corrective glasses before, there can be a range of adjustments you will need to get used to when you first start wearing your glasses. When you’re adjusting to your new glasses, you may experience the following:

  • Eye strain
  • Blurry vision
  • Headaches
  • Distorted vision 
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness 
  • Poor depth perception 

If you’re finding these issues disrupting your daily life, it may be helpful to begin to wear your new glasses for shorter periods if you can to help alleviate discomfort. 

A woman sitting in front of her computer took off her glasses and touching her forehead, experiencing dizziness with her new eyeglasses.

What if Adjustment Is Taking a While? 

If your adjustment takes longer than 3 or 4 days, we recommend contacting your optometrist. 

One exception to this is headaches. When you start wearing glasses for the first time, the added pressure on your head can take some time to get used to. It is typical to experience headaches for a longer period due to increased pressure on your temples.

Tips For Wearing New Glasses

There are some things that you can do to help ease your eyes into wearing new glasses. Some things that you can do to help make the adjustment period smoother are:

  • If you have an old prescription, do not switch back and forth between them. Even if they feel more comfortable, switching between prescriptions can make it more difficult for your eyes to adjust to your new glasses. 
  • Focus on different things. If you’re doing a lot of near-work, give your eyes a break and implement the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, focus on an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
  • Keep your glasses clean. Trying to see through dirt and smudges can make the adjustment more difficult. 

Finding Your Perfect Glasses

There are many glasses options to choose from, and the team at Family EyeCare Center is here to help you find your perfect pair. If you have questions about adjusting to new glasses or are looking to find a new pair, book your appointment at Family EyeCare Center today.

Written by Total Vision

instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax