Do you ever get a headache after reading or feel dizzy when you stand up while wearing your glasses? It might not just be fatigue. An incorrect or outdated prescription can strain your eyes and make everyday tasks uncomfortable. Our vision changes throughout life, and even small prescription errors can cause big problems. In this article you’ll learn eight often‑overlooked signs that your glasses aren’t helping you see clearly. We’ll also share practical tips for working with an eye care professional to get relief.
Note: This article offers general information about eye health and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you experience ongoing vision problems.
1. Persistent headaches and eye strain
Headaches are one of the most common clues that your lenses are off. When your prescription is too weak or too strong, your eyes have to work harder to compensate. The extra effort to focus leads to muscle tension around your eyes and forehead. A 2024 study exploring headaches and refractive errors found that patients with low spheres and cylindrical errors as well as hyperopic (farsighted) astigmatism were significantly more prone to headaches. The researchers suggested that even small uncorrected refractive errors can trigger headaches and recommended careful prescription adjustments.
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Optometry also notes that people with mild astigmatism may experience headaches, eyestrain, fatigue or blurred vision. Similarly, farsighted individuals often experience difficulty focusing on near objects and may have headaches and eye fatigue after close work. These headaches often appear during or after reading, working on a computer or doing other near‑vision tasks.
How to respond:
- Track when the pain happens. If headaches consistently appear when you’re wearing your glasses, it’s time for an eye exam.
- Don’t ignore mild pain. Low‑grade headaches can be just as telling as migraine‑level pain. Your brain may be struggling to compensate for an inaccurate prescription.
- Get your eyes rechecked. Even if you recently got glasses, your optometrist may need to adjust the lens power or interpupillary distance.
2. Blurry or double vision
Blurred vision isn’t always a sign that you need stronger glasses. It can also indicate that your current prescription is wrong. The mass.gov consumer fact sheet explains that irregularly shaped corneas (astigmatism) prevent light from focusing properly on the retina, leading to blurred or distorted vision. While severe astigmatism causes constant blur, those with mild astigmatism may notice blurry vision at certain distances along with headaches and fatigue.
If your lenses over‑ or under‑correct your refractive error, the world can look fuzzy or wavy. Some people experience double vision (diplopia) when one eye sees through a lens that differs significantly from what the eye needs. Double vision can also occur if your frames sit crooked on your face, causing your eyes to look through the wrong part of the lens. This is especially noticeable with bifocals or progressive lenses, where precise alignment is crucial.
What to do
- Clean and adjust your glasses. Sometimes smudges or misaligned frames are to blame. Make sure your lenses sit level and at the correct distance from your eyes.
- Rule out dry eyes. Dryness can blur your vision. Try blinking more often or using preservative‑free lubricating drops if your doctor approves.
- Schedule a refraction test. An optometrist can determine whether your current lenses are over‑ or under‑correcting your vision.
3. Difficulty focusing or adjusting to new glasses
When you get a new pair of glasses, a short adjustment period is normal. Your brain needs time to adapt to the different way the lenses bend light. However, if you’re still struggling to focus after a week, it could signal a problem. Healthline notes that if your eyeglass prescription is too weak or too strong, your eyes will become strained and cause headaches. The article advises that headaches from new eyeglasses should dissipate within a few days; if they don’t, you may need to have your eyes retested.
Difficulty focusing can manifest in several ways:
- You feel like you’re looking through someone else’s glasses.
- Fine print appears fuzzy even when you’re at your usual reading distance.
- You frequently move your reading material closer or farther away.
- Progressive or bifocal lenses make you feel off balance.
Solutions
- Give yourself time. Wear your new glasses consistently for a few days to let your brain adapt.
- Avoid switching back to old glasses. Reaching for your old lenses can prolong the adjustment period.
- See your optometrist. If focusing problems persist beyond a week, schedule a follow‑up exam to check the prescription and fit.
4. Dizziness, nausea or motion sickness
An incorrect prescription doesn’t just affect your eyes. It can disrupt your sense of balance and spatial orientation. When the visual information your brain receives doesn’t match the input from your inner ear, you may feel dizzy, nauseous or unsteady. According to Healthline, headaches caused by new eyeglasses should dissipate within a few days, but if you’re still experiencing headaches, dizziness or nausea after a week, call your doctor. This guidance underscores the link between visual strain and vestibular symptoms.
Several factors contribute to these sensations:
- Wrong lens power: Over‑corrected lenses can magnify objects and make movement seem exaggerated, while under‑corrected lenses can make you feel like you’re walking through fog. Both scenarios can lead to vertigo.
- Incorrect pupillary distance (PD): If your PD measurement is off, each eye may be looking through a slightly different part of the lens, causing visual displacement and dizziness.
- Poorly fitted frames: Tight frames that press behind your ears can contribute to headaches and nausea.
If you feel motion sickness when reading in a car or after quick head movements, consider having your prescription checked. A minor adjustment may bring immediate relief.
5. Squinting, tilting or adopting awkward postures
Do you catch yourself tilting your head to see through your glasses? Squinting or adopting awkward postures could mean your lenses aren’t aligned properly. For example, progressive lenses require precise placement of distance and near‑vision zones. If these zones are off, you might raise or lower your chin to bring objects into focus. Over time, this unnatural posture can lead to neck and shoulder pain, which is a recognized symptom of digital eye strain.
Tilting your head can also signal that one eye is seeing clearly while the other is not. Your brain may be trying to align the clearer image, forcing you into uncomfortable positions. Squinting is your body’s attempt to reduce the amount of light entering your eye and improve focus. Both behaviors strain your eye muscles and may worsen headaches.
What to do:
- Adjust your frames. Have an optician ensure that your glasses sit level on your face and that the lenses line up with your pupils.
- Check the PD. An incorrect PD measurement can force your eyes to converge improperly.
- Listen to your body. Neck pain or shoulder stiffness while wearing glasses is a sign to schedule an eye exam.
6. Dry, burning or watery eyes
If your eyes feel gritty, burn or water excessively, your prescription may be partly to blame. The 2022 review on digital eye strain notes that screen users need to recognize symptoms such as asthenopia (eye strain), headache, neck pain, red eyes, watery eyes or burning sensation. The authors encourage users to make specific changes like improving lighting, minimizing glare, taking regular breaks and following the 20‑20‑20 rule — taking a 20‑second break every 20 minutes to look at an object 20 feet away.
Wearing the wrong glasses can exacerbate dryness because your eyes may not be focusing efficiently, causing you to blink less. Blinking spreads tears evenly across your eye surface. The same review reports that people normally blink 14–16 times a minute but this reduces to only 4–6 times a minute when using screens. Reduced blinking leads to evaporation of the tear film and irritation.
Tips to soothe your eyes:
- Follow the 20‑20‑20 rule. Set a timer to remind yourself to look away from the screen and blink deliberately.
- Use artificial tears. Preservative‑free lubricating drops can replace moisture; consult your doctor for recommendations.
- Check your prescription. If you’re straining to see, you may blink less, worsening dryness. An updated prescription may reduce irritation.
7. Neck, shoulder or back pain
Eye strain isn’t confined to your eyeballs. Poor vision can cause you to adjust your posture in unhealthy ways. You might lean closer to your monitor, crane your neck or hunch your shoulders to bring text into focus. The digital eye strain review identifies neck and shoulder pain as part of the symptom complex linked to prolonged screen use. When your glasses aren’t helping, you’re more likely to adopt these compensatory postures.
Pay attention if:
- You frequently rub your neck or shoulders while working on your computer.
- You feel muscle tension after reading or sewing.
- Adjusting your chair height or monitor doesn’t relieve discomfort.
Solutions:
- Adjust ergonomics. Position your monitor so the top of the screen is at eye level and about an arm’s length away.
- Use proper lighting. Reduce glare and make sure you have adequate ambient light.
- Update your lenses. A precise prescription reduces the need to lean forward or tilt your head.
8. Frequently adjusting or taking off your glasses
Do you find yourself constantly pushing your glasses up your nose, taking them off or switching between multiple pairs? Constant adjustments can be a sign that something isn’t working. Ill‑fitting frames or incorrect lens power can make glasses uncomfortable, prompting you to remove them often. Healthline points out that ill‑fitting frames that cause pressure behind your ears can trigger headaches, and that pupillary distance errors can lead to eye strain.
Here’s what to watch for:
- Glasses sliding down your nose, forcing you to push them up repeatedly.
- Removing your glasses to read fine print, even though they’re meant for near work.
- Switching between two pairs because neither feels right.
How to fix it:
- Visit an optician. They can adjust nose pads, temple arms and frame alignment so your glasses fit comfortably.
- Check lens type. If you constantly swap glasses for different tasks, consider multifocal lenses tailored to your lifestyle.
- Review your prescription. The need to remove your glasses often may indicate that your vision needs have changed.
When to see an eye care professional
Many people put off eye exams because they assume headaches or blurred vision are normal. However, the signs above often point to an outdated or incorrect prescription. Here are some reasons to schedule an appointment:
- Your current glasses are more than a year old. The American Optometric Association recommends regular eye exams because prescriptions can change over time.
- You experience any of the symptoms in this article for more than a week. Persistent discomfort warrants professional attention.
- You’ve started a new job or hobby that requires different visual demands. Computer‑intensive roles, sewing, or driving at night may necessitate specialized lenses.
- You have underlying conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. These can affect your vision and require closer monitoring.
Practical tips for healthier eyes
- Follow the 20‑20‑20 rule to rest your eyes during prolonged screen use.
- Blink intentionally to keep your eyes moist; remember that blinking frequency drops during screen time.
- Use good lighting and reduce glare on your screen or reading material.
- Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet rich in leafy greens and omega‑3 fatty acids to support eye health.
- Wear sunglasses with UV protection outdoors to reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Consider blue‑light‑filtering lenses if you spend hours on digital devices, although research on their effectiveness is ongoing.
Conclusion and takeaway
Your glasses should make life easier, not harder. Persistent headaches, blurry vision, dizziness, awkward postures, dry eyes and other discomforts are your body’s way of saying something is wrong. Research shows that even mild refractive errors can trigger headaches and eyestrain. Recognizing these eight sneaky signs empowers you to seek professional help and protect your vision. Schedule regular eye exams, communicate openly with your eye care provider and follow simple habits like the 20‑20‑20 rule to keep your eyes comfortable. Clear, comfortable vision is possible—you just need the right prescription and a little self‑care.
