Wearing new eyeglasses may cause headaches as the eye muscles adjust to them. Poor fit, an incorrect prescription, and improper use may also cause headaches. A person can take various steps to manage or prevent headaches.
Headache is a pain in any part of the head. There are two types: primary headaches, where the headache is the main problem, and secondary headaches, which are due to another underlying condition.
Wearing eyeglasses may cause temporary discomfort and headaches. Eyestrain and eye diseases may also cause headaches. “Asthenopia” is the medical term for headaches secondary to eye fatigue, or strain.
New prescription: The eyes need to compensate for the changing visual demands when they use prescription glasses for the first time or have drastic changes to the prescription. The muscles around the eyes and focusing systems need to readjust to adapt to the lens and work differently. It typically takes a couple of days to a few weeks for eyes to adjust to new prescription glasses. It is best for a person to contact their eye doctor if they continue to experience symptoms, such as headaches, for longer than this time frame after wearing new prescription glasses.
Symptoms: People may experience several symptoms as their eyes adjust to the new prescription glasses, even when they have the correct fit and prescription. These symptoms may include:
- headache
- eyestrain
- seeing things smaller than their objective size, which is called micropsia
- blurry vision
- image distortion
- anxiety
Treatment: A person should not stop wearing their new glasses because of the discomfort. Instead, they should follow their doctor’s recommendations. Repeatedly removing their glasses and alternating between their old and new glasses may make it harder for the eyes and the brain to adjust.
Incorrect fit: Glasses frames that do not fit correctly are another possible cause of headaches. Poorly fitting frames can put pressure on the temples or nose bridge, leading to a headache. Poorly fitting frames may sit too close or far from the eyes and cause discomfort. A wrong pupillary distance, or the distance between the pupils, can also lead to headaches and other symptoms.
Glasses that do not fit properly may:
- feel loose around the ears
- slip down the nose
- pinch the nose bridge
Treatment: A person can go back to their eye doctor and have their frames adjusted to achieve the correct fit. It is best for a person to contact their eye doctor if they frequently or persistently experience headaches when wearing their glasses. The eye doctor can ensure the prescription and the fit of the glasses are both correct. They can also advise when the glasses should be worn, such as when reading or doing computer work, and recommend ways to reduce headaches.
Other causes of headache. Many eye conditions may cause headaches other than wearing eyeglasses. These include:
- angle closure glaucoma, which refers to fluid at the front of the eye that cannot drain properly.
- giant cell arteritis, which refers to swelling of the arteries that run along the temples.
- stroke, which can cause: vision changes, such as double vision, droopy eyelids, severe headache.
A person should contact their doctor if they have concerns about any of the above conditions. These can be serious conditions that require immediate treatment.
Summary: Wearing glasses can lead to headaches due to an incorrect fit or prescription. It can also happen due to improper glasses, such as wearing long-distance glasses for close-up computer work. Eyestrain can also cause headaches.
Regular eye exams can help ensure a person wears glasses with the correct prescription and fit. They can also help identify and treat any underlying eye conditions that may lead to headaches.
People who experience persistent symptoms should consult their eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam. Other serious conditions may cause headaches, so contacting a doctor about one’s symptoms is essential.
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/glasses-giving-me-a-headache
Additional sources:
- Boyd, K. (222). What is a headache?
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-headache - Computer vision syndrome. (n.d.).
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/computer-vision-syndrome?sso=y - Friedman, D. I. (2016). Do I need to have my eyes checked if my head hurts?
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/do-i-need-to-have-my-eyes-checked-if-my-head-hurts/ - Kaur, K., et al. (2022). Digital eye strain–a comprehensive review.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40123-022-00540-9
