When Your Glasses Do Not Feel Right

You just picked up your new glasses—but something feels off. Your vision is still blurry, your eyes feel strained, or you are getting headaches. It is natural to wonder, “Is this normal? Or is my glasses prescription not working?”

At Alice Family Eye Center, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with new glasses that are not improving your vision. The good news? There is usually a solution—and we are here to help you find it.

Is It Normal or Is Something Wrong?

Mild discomfort can be completely normal when adjusting to new lenses, especially if it is your first time wearing glasses or you have had a significant prescription change.

Normal symptoms may include:

• Slight eye strain or pressure
• Blurry vision that comes and goes
• Mild dizziness or “swimmy” feeling
• Needing a few days to adapt to progressive lenses

These symptoms typically go away within a week or two.

However, if your symptoms are severe or do not improve, your glasses prescription may not be working as it should.

Red flags to watch for:

• Constant blurry vision
• Headaches that don’t go away
• Double vision
• Dizziness or nausea
• Trouble reading or seeing clearly at any distance

If you are experiencing these issues, it is time to take action.

Common Reasons Your Glasses Prescription May Not Be Working

Here are five potential causes behind a glasses prescription not working correctly:

1. Prescription Too Strong or Too Weak

Even slight changes in your prescription can affect how your eyes feel and function. If the change was significant, your brain may need extra time to adapt or the prescription may need tweaking.

2. Incorrect Pupillary Distance (PD)

Your PD is the distance between your pupils, and if it’s measured incorrectly, your lenses won’t align properly with your eyes, causing strain and discomfort.

3. Lens Measurement Errors

If you wear progressives or bifocals, improper segment height or lens placement can cause difficulty focusing.

4. Lab or Optical Filling Errors

Sometimes, the prescription is written correctly—but the lenses were made incorrectly by the lab.

5. Poor Fit or Frame Choice

If your frames are too big, crooked, or don’t sit properly on your face, they can affect how the lenses work.

What to Do if Your Glasses Prescription Is Not Working

If you think your glasses prescription is not working, here is how we recommend:

Give It a Few Days

If your symptoms are mild, try wearing your glasses consistently for a few days. Your brain may need time to adjust—especially with progressives or a big prescription shift.

Still Having Issues? Here’s What to Do Next

If your symptoms persist beyond 7–10 days, don’t wait. First, contact the location where your glasses were made to ensure the prescription was filled accurately

Call Alice Family Eye Center

If everything checks out and you’re still experiencing issues, contact us at Alice Family Eye Center. We’ll gladly perform a recheck to help determine the cause and find a solution that works for you.

Bring Your Old Glasses

Comparing your new and old glasses can help us identify what changed and how your eyes are responding.

Keep Your Receipt

Most optical shops have a remake or satisfaction policy—but the time window can be limited. If we determine your glasses prescription is not working due to an error, we will help you get it corrected as soon as possible.

Be Prepared for Your Recheck

To get the most out of your follow-up visit:

• Bring your new glasses, old glasses, and your receipt.
• Write down specific symptoms (e.g., “cannot focus when reading,” “feel dizzy when turning head”).
• Let us know how long you have been wearing your prescription glasses and in what situations they feel uncomfortable.

Being prepared helps us pinpoint the problem quickly and accurately.

Can This Be Prevented Next Time?

While not every issue is preventable, these tips can help you feel more confident in future glasses purchases:

• Get regular, thorough eye exams
• Do not rush your lens or frame selection
• Ask questions about PD and lens options
• Work with an eye care team you trust—like Alice Family Eye Center

You Deserve to See Clearly

Vision is too important to settle for less than clear, comfortable sight. At Alice Family Eye Center in Alice, Texas, we are committed to helping you find solutions—whether that means adjusting your prescription, fixing your frames, or correcting a lens error.

Ready to see clearly and comfortably? Schedule your next eye exam at Alice Family Eye Center in Alice, Texas. Our friendly team is here to help you find the right prescription, the right fit, and the right frames for your lifestyle. Call today or book your appointment online—we look forward to seeing you!

Dr. Garza
Alice Family Eye Center
777 N Texas Blvd Alice, TX 78332
361-668-3937