A large majority of consumers who wear new glasses report some form of visual distortion. Sometimes the distortion is minor and subsides quickly; in other cases, it’s extreme and lasts a long time. So the titular question remains: how long is a reasonable time to adjust to new glasses?
The answer – like most answers concerning eyewear – is a bit complex, and depends on several variables, which we’ll examine below.
First, let’s list the reported symptoms associated with the wearing of a new pair of glasses:
These effects are due to your eyes adjusting to new lenses. The primary and most common cause of distortion relates to a change in prescription. People often put off eye exams, and when they do have them performed, find that their prescription has altered somewhat. Usually the corrective diopter rating for your eyes – or just one of your eyes – changes as you age, and a slight increase in prescription for one or both eyes is required. To eyes that have grown accustomed to the lenses in your old glasses, any shift in prescription can cause visual distortion.
Another cause could be due to variations between the time you had your exam and the time you first put on your new pair of glasses. Your prescription needs actually fluctuate throughout the day, shifting with the condition of your eyes. “Fresh” eyes function differently than “tired” eyes. It’s recommended that you try to schedule your eye exam when your eyes are fresh, such as in the morning after a good night’s sleep, in order to obtain a good baseline reading.
Differences in frame styles and lens shapes can also affect your vision – frequently more than most people realize. Your eyes get used to the dimensions and boundaries of your old frames and lenses. When you change those dimensions you also change the curve of the lenses, the location of the borders that surround the lenses, etc. This throws off the comfortable and familiar dynamic that you (and your eyes) previously enjoyed.
A switch to a bifocal or trifocal can further complicate the matter. Any type of bifocal or trifocal gives your eyes workout, but progressives cause particularly aggressive distortion because they eliminate the “hard break” of a delineating line. Extra care should be taken when adjusting to new progressive lenses, especially with tasks like driving or walking down stairs.
So, how long is too long to adjust to new glasses? The good news on all the effects described above is that they are temporary. Most people get acclimated to their new glasses within 24-48 hours. It’s important to wear them continuously and not switch back and forth with older glasses; it’s tempting to “give your eyes a rest” from new and different lenses, but only continual exposure to the new lenses will allow your eyes to adjust to them.
If you still experience any appreciable distortion after several days, be sure to discuss the issue with your optometrist. If the situation persists, the problem is likely a faulty prescription reading, in which case a new exam may have to be performed, or a fault with the production of the lenses, in which case new ones must be obtained.
Typical adjustment period for new glasses is 24-48 hours.
Continuous wear of new glasses is crucial; avoid switching back to old glasses.
Consistent exposure to new lenses aids in adjustment.
If distortion persists after a few days, consult an optometrist.
Ongoing issues may indicate a faulty prescription or lens production error, requiring a new exam or replacement lenses.
1. SELECT THE FRAME
RX Safety offers a wide range of eyeglasses, sunglasses, and safety glasses frames that are prescription available. Choose your favorite one.
2. SELECT LENS MATERIAL
Inside our prescription form, you can select your prescription type. Choose between, single vision, bifocal and progressive. Then, you will choose your lens material.
3. SELECT LENS COLOR
Customize your lenses by choosing your lens color, including Transition options.
4. ADD EXTRA COATINGS
The prescription lenses can be upgraded with special coatings such as anti-fog and anti-reflective to improve the overall performance of the glasses.
5. ADD YOUR PRESCRIPTION INFORMATION
Now it is the time to upload or fill your prescription information. You’re done! The rest is with us. We will work on your prescription glasses and deliver to your address.
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to hell with that, i’m on 3rd week of “adjustement” and still have nausea and fishbowl effect
Hi Ray,
You should reach your eye doctor for a review of your prescription, it might need an adjustment.
I was prescribed -.50 in each eye, and the doctor said that they are for distance, but without them reading, or other close work is not possible. Also I checked my vision on an eye chart, and with glasses I have 20/20 with each eye, and also both eyes. With out glasses my right eye is 20/100. and the left is 20/70. I don’t think that my uncorrected vision was this bad before getting glasses.
It often takes 3 to 4 days to get acquainted with and feel agreeable wearing glasses. However, for some people, this process may take up to a week. If it takes longer than the specified number of days, we strongly advise that you consult an optometrist.
hi there got my sight glasses yesterday and the optometrist done a primal test first time in my life I have had one anyway i can see 2 objects and the right object floats away. I have a strong prescription and astigmatism im both eyes when I take them off I get more blurred vision an headache. As another opticians left me without sight glasses after 8 weeks. How long should I give them. Put them on today do you think my sight glasses will settle down by Friday.