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Your glasses are supposed to make your life better by allowing you to see clearly. When properly prescribed and fitted, glasses shouldn’t cause pain or discomfort. So why do some people get headaches while wearing their glasses?
If you’re a glasses-wearer who’s battling persistent headaches, keep reading to learn possible causes of your pain, including prescription issues, fit problems, lens choices, and eye strain. We’ll also discuss pain prevention and how to know when to visit your eye doctor.
Why Glasses Sometimes Cause Headaches
Your brain’s vision center and the muscles in and around your eyes work together to help you see clearly. Corrective lenses can force your eyes and brain to work harder at first as they adjust to the new prescription, sometimes causing headaches and discomfort; however, this shouldn’t last longer than a few days.
If wearing glasses makes your head hurt even outside of this adjustment period, it’s a sign that something isn’t right, whether it’s your prescription, the lens fit, or lifestyle factors.
An Outdated or Incorrect Prescription
Your vision changes over time, which means that the prescription lenses that worked at one point in the past may not be accurate years later. To compensate for an outdated prescription, your eyes have to work harder, causing eye strain that can contribute to headaches.
The same thing happens with an incorrect prescription. Errors in strength, axis, or prism can trigger headaches, which is why it’s so important to receive a comprehensive eye exam from an experienced eye doctor.
Lens Type and Design Issues
Progressive and bifocal lenses often take longer to adjust to than standard lenses. Many people experience headaches as their eyes adjust to multifocal lenses. This discomfort can be minimized by ensuring precise measurements and proper fitting height.
Heavier lenses can also cause pressure and discomfort. If your prescription is especially strong, consider opting for high-index lenses instead of thick, heavy lenses that put extra pressure on your nose and ears.
Poor Glasses Fit
Lenses aren’t the only part of your glasses that can cause head pain. If the frames are too tight, they can put pressure on your temples and behind your ears, restricting circulation and causing tension headaches. Another cause of tension headaches is subconsciously tensing your head and facial muscles in an attempt to keep your glasses from sliding down your nose. Uneven or tight nose pads can also contribute to head pain.
The good news is that these fit issues are fixable. Optical professionals can adjust bothersome issues and ensure your glasses fit your face comfortably.
Eye Strain from Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle factors can also contribute to eye strain and the ensuing headaches. Increased screen time, poor lighting conditions, and improper viewing distances can exacerbate the effects of fit issues and improper prescriptions, causing pain and discomfort. Blue light-filtering lenses can help alleviate some of this eye strain and help you find relief.
When Headaches Are Not Caused by Glasses
Of course, not all headaches are caused by wearing glasses. Tension, stress, sinus pressure, a lack of sleep, and migraines can all contribute to head pain, as well. It’s important to rule out these non-vision-related causes to pinpoint the root cause of your symptoms and find effective solutions. If pain persists even when you’re not wearing your glasses and interferes with your everyday life, it’s time to consult a medical professional to get to the bottom of the issue.
How to Prevent Headaches From Your Glasses
The best way to prevent headaches from your glasses is seeking regular eye exams. These appointments allow your eye doctor to catch prescription changes early, before they have the chance to cause discomfort.
Getting professionally fitted frames is also important. Eyewear isn’t one-size-fits-all, and in-store fitting and adjustments are the only way to make sure your glasses properly fit your face.
When to Visit Your Eye Care Professional
It’s time to visit your eye doctor if:
- Your headaches last more than two weeks
- You experience blurred vision, dizziness, or nausea
- Your discomfort worsens over time
They can help you determine whether your headaches are related to vision problems or there’s something else going on.
Find the Perfect Glasses for You at Wolcott Optical
At Wolcott Optical, we’re dedicated to helping you find the perfect glasses for your needs. With a wide range of styles available, you can trust that we’ll have glasses that don’t just look great on you, but fit you properly, as well. Stop by our store in Salt Lake City today to see what we have to offer!
