Seeing double vision with your new glasses can be scary. But, it often goes away as your eyes and brain get used to the new prescription.Seeing double with new glasses? This guide explains 5 surprising reasons, from prescription errors to the adjustment period.
At Liv Hospital, we know double vision, or diplopia, can worry you. We aim to offer top-notch healthcare and support for patients from around the world.
Getting new glasses means better vision. But, sometimes, it can cause double vision. This is usually just a temporary issue, not a lasting problem.
Key Takeaways
- Double vision with new glasses is often a temporary adjustment issue.
- Your eyes and brain need time to adjust to the updated prescription.
- At Liv Hospital, we provide top eye care based on the latest medical standards.
- Knowing why you see double can help ease your worries.
- We offer patient-focused solutions for dealing with double vision.
Understanding Double Vision (Diplopia)
Seeing double with new glasses can be scary, but knowing why it happens can make you feel better. Double vision, or diplopia, happens when your brain gets two different pictures from your eyes. This makes you see two images of the same thing.
What Is Double Vision?
Double vision falls into two types: monocular and binocular diplopia. Monocular diplopia is when you see double even with one eye closed. This is often due to eye problems like astigmatism or cataracts. On the other hand, binocular diplopia is when your eyes aren’t lined up right. This makes your brain see two different pictures.
How Common Is Double Vision with New Eyewear?
Studies show that seeing double with new glasses is usually just a temporary problem. Most people get used to their new glasses in a few days to a week. But, how long it takes can depend on your prescription and the type of lenses.
The Science Behind Visual Processing
The way we see things is very complex. It involves our eyes, brain, and nervous system. When light hits our eye, it goes to the retina and turns into electrical signals. These signals then go to our brain, where we see them as images. Any problem in this process, like a new prescription or lens alignment, can cause double vision.
Knowing how our eyes work can help us understand why we see double with new glasses. Things like big changes in prescription, frames that don’t fit right, and lens problems can cause it. Eye doctors can help fix these issues to make sure you adjust to your new glasses smoothly.
The Adjustment Period for New Glasses
When you start wearing new glasses, your eyes and brain need time to adjust. This is normal and usually happens quickly. Most people find their vision gets better in just a few days.
Normal Timeline for Adaptation
The time it takes to get used to new glasses varies. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours. But, it can take longer for some people.
You might feel some discomfort at first. This can include blurry vision, eye strain, and feeling dizzy. High-plus lenses can cause your vision to look distorted, while high-minus lenses might make things look like they’re in a fishbowl.
What to Expect During Adjustment
At first, your vision might not feel right. You might see double or have blurry spots. It’s important to be patient and let your eyes adjust.
- Be aware of your surroundings to avoid accidents.
- Take regular breaks to rest your eyes.
- Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you experience significant visual disturbances.
Brain Adaptation to New Visual Input
Your brain is key in understanding what you see. When you get new glasses, it has to learn again. This includes adjusting to the new prescription, lens type, and how the frames fit.
Tips for a smoother adaptation:
- Wear your new glasses consistently to help your brain adjust.
- If you experience persistent discomfort or double vision, consult your optician.
- Ensure your glasses are properly fitted and aligned.
Knowing what to expect can make adjusting to new glasses easier. If you keep seeing double or have other problems after 24-48 hours, see your eye doctor.
Why Am I Seeing Double with New Glasses?
Seeing double with new glasses can be confusing. But, there are reasons why it happens. We’ll look into these reasons to help you understand why your new glasses might be causing double vision.
Significant Prescription Changes
A big change in your prescription can confuse your brain. When your prescription changes a lot, your eyes have to get used to it. This adjustment can sometimes lead to double vision. It’s important to give your eyes and brain time to adjust to the new prescription.
Frame Misalignment Issues
Double vision can happen if your glasses aren’t aligned right. If the frames don’t fit well or sit unevenly, it can cause problems. Getting your glasses adjusted by an optician can fix this issue.
Lens Positioning Problems
The way your lenses are positioned is key. If the lenses aren’t aligned with your pupils, you might see double. Prism lenses can help by adjusting the light before it reaches your eye.
The Impact of Lens Thickness
The thickness and type of lenses can affect your vision. Thicker lenses, like those in high prescriptions, can distort vision if not made right. High-quality lenses that are correctly positioned can reduce these distortions and prevent double vision.
Knowing these factors can help you figure out why your new glasses are causing double vision. If the problem doesn’t go away, it’s important to talk to your eye care provider. They can adjust your glasses or change your prescription if needed.
The Role of Astigmatism in Double Vision
Wearing eyeglasses for astigmatism can really help your vision. But, some people might see double vision at first. Astigmatism happens when your cornea is not shaped right, making everything blurry or distorted.
How Astigmatism Correction Affects Vision
Cylindrical lenses are used to fix astigmatism. They bend light differently in each direction. This can make you see double or feel like your eyes are crossed at first. Your brain needs time to get used to this new way of seeing.
Adapting to Cylindrical Lens Correction
Starting with cylindrical lenses can be uncomfortable. It’s important to let your eyes and brain adjust to the new focus. Usually, your vision gets much better in a few days to a week.
Why New Astigmatism Correction Can Make You Feel Cross-Eyed
When you first get new glasses for astigmatism, your eyes might feel strained or like they’re crossed. This is because your brain is seeing things differently. This feeling will go away as your brain gets used to the glasses.
In summary, seeing double or feeling cross-eyed with new glasses is common but short-lived. Understanding how astigmatism and cylindrical lenses work can help you adjust faster to your new glasses.
Binocular vs. Monocular Double Vision
It’s important to know why you see double, whether it’s with both eyes or just one. Double vision, or diplopia, can be either binocular or monocular. Knowing the type helps find the cause and what to do next.
When Eyes Don’t Work Together: Binocular Double Vision
Binocular double vision happens when your eyes don’t line up right. This makes your brain see two images. It’s often due to muscle or nerve problems in the eyes.
When both eyes are open, the images don’t blend. But closing one eye usually makes the double vision go away.
Common causes of binocular double vision include:
- Misalignment of the eyes due to muscle or nerve issues
- Significant changes in prescription, specially with astigmatism correction
- Problems with the brain’s ability to merge images from both eyes
Single Eye Issues: Monocular Double Vision
Monocular double vision happens when one eye sees double, even with the other eye closed. It’s usually due to problems in one eye. Causes include lens scratches, bent frames, or wrong lens placement.
Eye conditions like cataracts or retinal problems can also cause it. If you see double with one eye, get your glasses checked for damage or misalignment. An eye exam might be needed to check for other eye issues.
Determining Which Type You’re Experiencing
To figure out if you have binocular or monocular double vision, try this:
- Close one eye and see if the double vision stays. If it does, it’s monocular.
- If closing one eye makes the double vision go away, it’s binocular.
- Covering each eye alternately can help you see which eye is affected or if it’s both.
If you’re not sure or the double vision doesn’t go away, see an eye care professional. They can check your vision, glasses, and guide you on what to do next.
Technical Factors That Cause Double Vision with Glasses
Double vision with new glasses can be caused by several technical factors. These factors affect how your eyes process visual information. When you get your new eyewear, many elements work together to help you see clearly and comfortably.
Interpupillary Distance (IPD) Misalignment
The alignment of the interpupillary distance (IPD) is key. IPD is the distance between your pupils’ centers. Proper alignment of the optical centers with your IPD is vital to avoid double vision. If your glasses have an incorrect IPD measurement, it can cause eye strain and double vision.
We recommend having your eye care professional measure your IPD accurately. This ensures the optical centers of the lenses match your IPD.
Optical Center Positioning Problems
The optical center of a lens is where you should look when viewing objects directly in front of you. If the optical centers are not correctly positioned in front of your pupils, it can cause visual disturbances, including double vision. Ensuring that the optical centers are properly aligned with your pupils is essential for clear vision.
We advise you to check with your optician to verify that the optical centers are correctly positioned in your glasses.
Lens Material and Quality Issues
The material and quality of the lenses can also impact your vision. High-quality lenses made from appropriate materials can significantly reduce distortions and aberrations that might cause double vision. Factors such as lens thickness, curvature, and the presence of any lens coatings can affect how your eyes perceive visual information.
We recommend discussing lens options with your eye care provider. This will help you select the best material and quality for your needs.
By understanding and addressing these technical factors, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of experiencing double vision with your new glasses. It’s essential to work closely with your eye care professional. This ensures that your eyewear is properly fitted and adjusted to your specific needs.
Progressive and Bifocal Lenses: Special Considerations
Switching to multifocal lenses can bring unique challenges. These lenses, including progressive and bifocal, help with clear vision at different distances. They are great for people with presbyopia or other vision issues.
Adjustment Challenges with Multifocal Lenses
Getting used to multifocal lenses is harder than single-vision ones. The brain must learn to switch between different prescriptions in one lens. This can cause discomfort and visual problems at first.
Common issues include trouble with depth perception, seeing things distorted on the sides, and adjusting to the ‘image jump’ in bifocal lenses.
Common Visual Distortions in Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses can cause visual distortions. Some people notice distortion in the sides or a ‘swimming’ effect when looking through the top or bottom of the lens. These problems usually get better as you get used to the lenses.
Visual Distortion | Description | Adaptation Strategy |
Peripheral Distortion | Distortion at the edges of the lens | Practice looking through the center of the lens |
Image Jump | Abrupt change in image when switching between prescriptions | Gradually move your gaze between different areas of the lens |
Depth Perception Issues | Difficulty judging distances | Practice tasks that require depth perception, like walking down stairs |
Strategies for Adapting to Multifocal Lenses
To make the transition easier, follow some key strategies. First, make sure your lenses fit and are adjusted right by your optician. Practice looking through different parts of the lens to get used to the different prescriptions. Also, start using the multifocal lenses more gradually to help your brain adjust.
By knowing the challenges and using these strategies, you can smoothly switch to multifocal lenses. This way, you can enjoy clear vision at various distances.
When to Be Concerned About Double Vision
Seeing double with new glasses can be scary. It’s usually just a temporary problem, but sometimes it’s a sign of something serious. We’ll look at when it’s normal and when it’s not, and what health issues might be causing it.
Normal vs. Abnormal Symptoms
It’s key to know the difference between normal and abnormal symptoms. Double vision from new glasses usually goes away in a few days. But if it lasts longer or comes with headaches, dizziness, or eye strain, it might be a bigger problem.
If double vision lasts more than a couple of hours or comes with other scary symptoms, get medical help right away. Keep an eye on your symptoms and watch for any changes.
Warning Signs That Require Medical Attention
Some symptoms with double vision need you to see a doctor fast. These include:
- Severe headache or eye pain
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Weakness or numbness in the face or extremities
- Sudden changes in vision
If you have any of these symptoms, don’t wait to see a doctor. Double vision can be a sign of something serious, like a stroke or aneurysm, which needs quick treatment.
Underlying Health Conditions That Can Cause Double Vision
Many health issues can cause double vision, either directly or by making it hard to adjust to new glasses. Some of these include:
Condition | Description | Potential Impact on Vision |
Stroke | A condition where the blood supply to the brain is interrupted | Can cause double vision, blurred vision, or loss of vision |
Diabetes | A metabolic disorder affecting blood sugar levels | Can lead to diabetic retinopathy, causing vision problems |
Multiple Sclerosis | A chronic disease affecting the central nervous system | Can cause double vision, blurred vision, or optic neuritis |
Knowing about these conditions can help you figure out if your double vision is just an adjustment issue or something more. If you’re worried about your double vision or it’s with other symptoms, talk to your doctor or an eye care specialist.
Solutions for Double Vision with New Glasses
New glasses can sometimes cause double vision. But, there are ways to fix this problem. If you see double with your new glasses, it’s not just a matter of getting used to them. There are steps you can take to make it better.
Adjustments You Can Make at Home
Before going back to your optician, you can try a few things at home. Keeping your glasses clean is a simple but effective step. Dust, smudges, or fingerprints on your lenses can make double vision worse. So, clean them regularly with a microfiber cloth.
Ensuring your glasses fit right is also important. If they’re slipping or not centered, it can cause double vision. Adjusting the frames to fit comfortably can help.
Also, give your eyes breaks. New glasses can cause eye strain. Try the 20-20-20 rule (look away from your screen every 20 minutes for 20 seconds) to reduce fatigue and double vision.
When to Return to Your Optician
If double vision doesn’t go away, it’s time to see your optician again. They might need to make adjustments or changes to your glasses. Your optician can check if the lenses are in the right place and if the IPD is set correctly.
Going back is important if you’re uncomfortable, have headaches, or if the double vision is really bad. It affects your daily life.
Possible Prescription Modifications
In some cases, you might need changes to your prescription. This could mean adjusting the lens power, changing the material, or modifying the frame to fit your face better.
Modification Type | Description | Potential Benefit |
Lens Power Adjustment | Changing the strength of the lenses | Corrects vision problems causing double vision |
Lens Material Change | Switching to a different lens material (e.g., from glass to polycarbonate) | Reduces distortion and weight |
Frame Adjustment | Adjusting the frame to fit better | Improves lens positioning and comfort |
Exercises to Help Your Eyes Adjust
There are eye exercises that can help your eyes adjust to new glasses. One exercise is to roll your eyes clockwise and counterclockwise. Another is to focus on a point and then shift your gaze to another point, repeating this several times.
“The key to adapting to new glasses is patience and consistent wear. Your brain needs time to adjust to the new visual input.”
By doing these exercises and making adjustments, you can help your eyes adjust faster to your new glasses. This can reduce double vision.
Preventing Double Vision Problems with Future Glasses
Getting the right glasses to avoid double vision is key. When picking eyeglasses for double vision, focus on the details. How you choose and adjust to your glasses matters a lot.
Choosing the Right Frames
The frames you pick can greatly affect how you see. It’s important to find frames that fit well and align with your pupils. Ill-fitting frames can cause or make double vision worse.
Communicating Effectively with Your Eye Care Provider
Talking clearly with your eye doctor is essential. Tell them about any double vision or discomfort with old glasses. This helps them make eye glasses for double vision that fit you right.
Talking about your daily life and what you need to see can also help. They can then suggest the best lenses and frames for you.
Gradual Prescription Changes
For big changes in your prescription, slow adjustments are better. Instead of jumping to a new prescription, try a gradual update. This helps your eyes adjust easier, cutting down on double vision.
Your eye doctor can guide you on the best way to change your prescription. They might suggest glasses for double vision made to ease the transition.
By picking the right frames, talking well with your eye doctor, and making slow changes to your prescription, you can lower double vision risks. These steps help you adjust to your new glasses more comfortably and successfully.
Conclusion
Getting used to new glasses can be tough, and double vision is a common issue. We’ve looked at why it happens, like big changes in your prescription or how the frames fit. Also, problems with how the lenses are placed can cause it too.
If you see double with your new glasses, don’t worry. It’s usually a short-term problem that can fix itself with time and the right adjustments. It’s a good idea to talk to your eye doctor to figure out what to do next.
At our place, we’re all about top-notch healthcare and helping international patients. If you’re worried about seeing double with your new glasses, feel free to ask us. We’re here to help.
Knowing why you might see double with new glasses and how to fix it can make a big difference. You’ll be able to see clearly and comfortably with your new glasses.
FAQ
Why do my new glasses cause double vision?
Double vision with new glasses is often a temporary issue. It can happen due to big changes in your prescription. Or it might be because of how the frames fit or the lens positioning.
How long does it take to adjust to new glasses?
It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for your brain to get used to new glasses. You might feel some discomfort, like double vision, during this time.
What is astigmatism, and how does it affect vision with new glasses?
Astigmatism is a common vision problem. It can cause double vision when corrected with glasses. The lenses for astigmatism can take time to adjust to, leading to double vision or feeling cross-eyed.
What is the difference between binocular and monocular double vision?
Binocular double vision happens when your eyes don’t work together. Monocular double vision is related to one eye. Knowing the type helps you find a solution.
How can I prevent double vision problems with future glasses?
Choose the right frames and talk clearly with your eye care provider. Also, consider small changes in your prescription to avoid double vision.
What are the technical factors that can cause double vision with glasses?
Issues like misaligned interpupillary distance, wrong lens positioning, and poor lens quality can cause double vision.
Are progressive and bifocal lenses more likely to cause double vision?
Yes, progressive and bifocal lenses can be tricky to adjust to. They might cause double vision. But, with the right guidance, you can adapt and reduce these problems.
When should I be concerned about double vision with my new glasses?
If double vision doesn’t go away or is very bad, see a doctor. Also, watch for eye pain or blurry vision, which could be signs of a bigger problem.
What can I do to address double vision with my new glasses?
Try adjusting your glasses at home for a better fit. If problems persist, visit your optician for help and possible prescription changes.
Can exercises help my eyes adjust to new glasses?
Yes, eye exercises can help your eyes get used to new glasses. Your eye care provider can suggest exercises that fit your needs.
Why do my new glasses make me feel cross-eyed?
Glasses, like those for astigmatism, can make your eyes feel cross-eyed. This is usually a short-term issue that goes away as your brain adjusts.
Can I get glasses specially designed to correct double vision?
Glasses can’t directly fix double vision. But, your eye care provider might suggest lenses or prismatic corrections to help with certain conditions.
References
Government Health Resource. Evidence-Based Medical Guidance. Retrieved from https://rx-safety.com/2016/03/glasses-giving-double-vision-heres-do/
