How Long Does It Take To Adjust to New Glasses? Answers & More

Learn why you feel weird with new glasses and how to know if your prescription is wrong

Co-authored by David Felsted, DO and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 22, 2022 References

Getting Used to New Glasses Fast

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How long does it take to get used to new glasses?

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Common Issues

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When to See Your Eye Doctor

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Tips

Just picked up your new glasses? A brand new prescription or a fancy new set of frames might be just what you need to improve your vision and boost your confidence. But if your new glasses are giving you headaches, blurred vision, or dizziness, you’re not alone. Most people experience some issues while adjusting to new glasses, even if they’ve worn glasses for years. Fortunately, we’ve got the tips to help you adjust to your new glasses fast. We’ll also let you know what’s normal and when it’s time to see your optometrist to talk about your symptoms. For everything you need to know about getting used to new glasses, read on!

Things You Should Know

Wear your glasses as often as possible every day. Clean your glasses regularly to prevent any additional issues.
Give yourself 2 weeks to get used to new glasses.
While you’re getting used to new glasses, you might experience eye strain, blurry vision, or dizziness, all of which are normal.
Make an appointment with your optometrist if your prescription is wrong or you’re still having issues after 2 weeks.

Section 1 of 4:

Getting Used to New Glasses Fast

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Wear your glasses as much as possible. When you’re dealing with symptoms like blurred vision and eye strain, it’s totally understandable that you’d want to take your glasses off for a while. However, this can make it harder to adjust to them, and you may be dealing with issues for longer. Try to wear your glasses as much as you can every day.^{[1]
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Clean your glasses regularly to avoid added stress on your eyes. Glasses that are smudged or dirty can distort your vision and make things blurry, even if they’re the right prescription. Rinse your lenses with warm water, and use dish soap to gently wash them if they’re greasy. Then, pat your lenses dry with a clean microfiber cloth.^{[2]
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- Or, use a lens spray and wipe the lenses clean with a microfiber cloth.
- You don’t need to clean your glasses every day—just whenever you notice they’re dirty.

Section 2 of 4:

How long does it take to get used to new glasses?

It can take up to 2 weeks to adjust to new glasses. Most people adjust to their new glasses in 2 to 3 days, but for some people, it can take up to 14 days. Be patient, and give your eyes time to adjust to their new glasses before you decide they’re not right for you.^{[3]
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Section 3 of 4:

Common Issues

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Eye strain Your eyes may feel sore, tired, or gritty after wearing your new glasses all day. This is likely because you’ve been straining or squinting as you adjust to the new prescription or frames.^{[4]
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Distorted vision Do your new glasses make everything look a little blurry? Rest assured that it might not be a prescription problem. Your eyes might need a few days to get used to your glasses before they work properly.^{[5]
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- Blurry or distorted vision is especially common with bifocal lenses. Since you have to look through the lens at a specific spot in order to see clearly, peering through the wrong spot in your glasses can cause blurriness.
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Dizziness A new prescription might make you feel a little dizzy or lightheaded. This dizziness can also lead to nausea and an upset stomach.^{[6]
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- Dizziness is especially common with progressive lenses.
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Fishbowl effect Do you feel like you’re looking at the world through a fishbowl? The outside of your version might look blurry or bend inward, while the center looks clear. This is a common issue with new glasses, but it typically goes away after a few days.^{[7]
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Depth perception issues You might reach out to grab something, only to realize that it’s a lot further or closer than you thought. New glasses can make your depth perception feel a little off for a couple of days.^{[8]
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Headaches Headaches may happen because of eye strain or because of the pressure new frames are putting on your nose and temples. Typically, headaches go away after you get used to your new glasses.^{[9]
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Section 4 of 4:

When to See Your Eye Doctor

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Your issues haven’t gone away after 2 weeks. If your glasses are right for you, you’ll get used to them within 14 days or so. If you’re still having blurry vision, dizziness, headaches, or any other glasses-related issues, head back to your optometrist to tell them about your symptoms. They may adjust your prescription or your frames to better match your needs.^{[10]
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- If you were trying out a new type of lens, like bifocals or progressive lenses, your doctor may switch you back to your usual lenses.^{[11]
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  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Opthamologists
  Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research
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You think your prescription is wrong. Prescriptions that are too weak or too strong can mess with our vision. If your glasses aren’t helping you see things clearer, head back to your optometrist. They’ll test your eyes again and make sure you have the right prescription in your glasses.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Opthamologists
Professional medical organization focused on advocating for public health and supporting sight-related research
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Your frames don’t fit your face. Sometimes, the prescription isn’t the problem—it’s the frames. Be sure to buy your frames from a reputable optometrist who measures your face and eye placement. If your frames are too large, too small, or misaligned, they could be giving you vision issues.^{[13]
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