New glasses prescription causing horrible eye pain and headaches - help!

Hi TSR, I need some advice!

I've worn the same glasses prescription for the past 4 years.

I finally got new glasses and contact lenses at a much stronger prescription.

Within a few hours of putting on the new glasses I was in excruciating pain around my eyes and head. When I removed the glasses the pain subsided slightly but still hurt like hell. Contact lenses = same story.

My opticians conducted a re-test (saw a different optician at the same store) and said everything was correct. They said slight pain/headache was normal with new glasses but it usually goes in a few days. They referred me to my GP just in case the pain is caused by something else. I didn't really understand why they did this because the pain obviously is caused by the glasses? :rolleyes:

I've now been wearing the glasses for 5 days and although the pain has improved slightly, it has not gone away. My eyesight does not seem damaged and I can see very clearly, though I am finding it hard to focus on things up-close (computer/reading).

Should I
- wait a few more days to see if it improves further?
- go to a completely different opticians for a 2nd opinion?
- Go to my GP as recommended by the opticians?
- got back to original opticians?

anyone got any experience with this sort of thing?

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

OP

anyone?

Reply 2

mistake1234

Hmm, do you have a high value of diopters?

I have about 4-5 in each eye, and I actually have two pairs of glasses: one for close-up work and the others (nromal use) for far away stuff.

If I use the stronger glasses for close-up work I often get a head ache because it strains my eyes (and my eyesight gets worse) - perhaps you have the same problem. :biggrin:

See if you can get some glasses for closeup work (your old glasses will do!), and when you do close-up work just exchange the glasses...

Reply 3

Ice_Queen

17

What happens when you wear your normal glasses?

Reply 4

Estera

I'm near sighted and I have strabismus on my right eye.
Once some doctor told me that in cases like that, doctors often make mistake by giving stronger prescription then it's needed and then headaches and eye pain occur.

Reply 5

Anonymous #1

OP

mistake1234

Hmm, do you have a high value of diopters?

I have about 4-5 in each eye, and I actually have two pairs of glasses: one for close-up work and the others (nromal use) for far away stuff.

If I use the stronger glasses for close-up work I often get a head ache because it strains my eyes (and my eyesight gets worse) - perhaps you have the same problem. :biggrin:

See if you can get some glasses for closeup work (your old glasses will do!), and when you do close-up work just exchange the glasses...

really? I am 5.5 and 5.75 so maybe that is the problem ... is it common for people to need 2 pairs like that? The optician actually recommended that I don't switch back and forth between pairs because it will take my eyes longer to get used to the new pair.

Ice_Queen

What happens when you wear your normal glasses?

the pain reduces substantially but does not vanish, as I mentioned , the optician recommended I don't switch back and forth between the old and new pair.

Reply 6

Insanespana

1

I would listen to your Optician - give it a few more days and visit your GP. The more you take off your new glasses, the longer it'll take to get used to the new prescription.

Reply 7

Couldxbe

16

I'm -6.5 in both my eyes and I don't experience any of the symptoms you've talked about. I mean I suppose it depends how long you left it between appointments?

Also, I don't have two pairs of glasses/contacts either..

I'd get it rechecked at a different opticians, though I'd take heed of their advice and go to doctors if it continues.

Reply 8

Kathy89

20

I have -3 and astigmatism correction for distance and -1.25 for close work (mostly computer, so it is not really so close). I've been using these glasses for two years. Before I used glasses for up close only when I was tired.
With contacts I have this problem only when I read with them for more then an hour. Without any correction I can't read for longer then 20-25 minutes without having eye ache or feeling strain.

If the glasses help you see at distance then maybe you need a different pair for up close or bi-focals.

Reply 9

simtacular

2

How old are you OP? What was your previous prescription?

Reply 10

Ilora-Danon

3

Woah 4 years between eye tests? That's probably why you're experiencing pain right now.

Go back to the original optician and get the glasses checked out. Then you'll know where you stand. I'm guessing it's just because your eyesight has deteriorated so much in the 4 years so it's gonna be hard to adjust.

Reply 11

Jez RR

14

I had a pair like this once. Same prescription as usual, -5.75 in both, but I got terrible headaches.

Turned out they had put the lens in wrongly somehow. Shoulda gone to Specsavers.

Reply 12

whizz-kid

16

bin them
go to a new optician

Reply 13

TheSownRose

16

You had four years between eye tests? :eek3:

That's quite possibly the reason - your eyes have changed quite a bit, so the jump from the nice old pair which you were familiar and comfortable with to this much stronger new pair is quite large, thus taking time to adapt. I'd personally give it a few days to a week (and don't switch between them; let yourself have time to adapt) and, if it really doesn't get better, go back to the optometrist or see the GP.

Reply 14

Foulish

When I used to wear glasses and my prescription changed, I used to get serious eye strain, but my eyes would get used to it after 5/6 days. Personally, I don't think it is anything to worry about.

Reply 15

CuteStar*

11

when i get new lenses it always takes a few days to adjust, if i was you, wait a while then speak to someone :smile:

Reply 16

Anonymous #1

OP

simtacular

How old are you OP? What was your previous prescription?

23. I am unsure of my exact previous prescription but I think it was in the region of around 4-4.5 in each eye

Reply 17

Vision

8

This has happened to me before. But in my case it turns out they had two people by the same name on their records and they'd got mixed up.

Reply 18

simtacular

2

Anonymous

23. I am unsure of my exact previous prescription but I think it was in the region of around 4-4.5 in each eye

Hmm yeah a 1D change in prescription can take a while to adapt to and considering how used to your old lenses you are, it could cause the eye pain and headaches.

Give it some time to get used to the new ones and if you are still unhappy they could perhaps give you a slightly weaker prescription (say 5-5.25) so that its easier to adapt to at the expense of a little clarity of vision :smile: