When you find a new pair of glasses that you love, it can feel exciting – after all, it’s an accessory that gets a front and center spot on your face. But before you get overzealous about tossing your old pair aside, it’s important to remember that it can take time to get used to new glasses. Just like a new pair of shoes, glasses usually need at least a few days to adjust and fit comfortably without causing any adverse effects. So before you dive into your new look, here’s how to break in new glasses to avoid any headaches, dizziness or any irritation around your nose.

Expect to Feel a Bit Off for a Week

First of all, it’s good to know that it’s completely normal – and should be expected – for you to feel a bit off after getting a new pair of glasses. Being aware of this is an important step for avoiding any panic or concern. So if and when you do experience odd sensations with depth, dizziness or headaches, don’t give up on your new pair of glasses just yet. Time is needed to let your eyes adapt and adjust. Just be patient and give them about one week to fully get used to them.

Avoid Strenuous Activities for Your Eyes

When you’re in the process of breaking in new glasses, we recommend avoiding any strenuous activities that engage your eyes. This could include long-distance road trips, intensive reading, or looking at a screen for a long duration without any breaks. It’s also safer to avoid walking anywhere that might be risky when your balance and depth perception aren’t at their sharpest. 

Keep Your Old Glasses on Hand

It can be helpful to keep your old pair of glasses with you so you can let your eyes ease into the new prescription and frame gradually. But make sure that you don’t give your eyes too much time to revert back to the old prescription. When swapping them out, try to still focus on wearing your new glasses as much as possible, and definitely more than your old pair.

Get them Adjusted

Getting used to new frames can take up to a week but sometimes, adjusting to new lenses can take longer. And, if you’ve switched from thin frames to thicker ones, it can also take your brain a bit longer to adapt to the peripheral changes. However, if you find that you’re still not comfortable with your new glasses after these durations, it’s best to bring them back to your optician so they can make any tweaks that are necessary to correct the problem.

Adjusting to Different Lenses

Having new lens materials can also take time to get used to. Plus, it’s important to note that certain lenses are designed and more suitable for certain environments, but can be a hindrance for other scenarios. For example, high contrast polarized lenses are designed to minimize glare. However, when it comes to looking at digital screens, they’re typically not recommended. Transition lenses are handy since they will automatically adapt to the level of ambient lighting. But they may be challenging to get adjusted to and see clearly if you’re not used to having lenses that naturally darken and lighten. 
If you’re still experiencing any issues with your new glasses after a week or so of getting them, our on-site opticians at Laurier Optical will be glad to help make any needed adjustments with the frame or lenses to ensure you can see clearly and comfortingly. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Article has been reviewed by an Optometrist.