Adjusting to your new glasses can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a few weeks. Everyone is different and adapts at their own pace, so as tricky as it may be, it’s important to be patient when adjusting to a new prescription.
The difference between a few hours and two weeks is, well, a lot. But the adjustment period usually depends on the type of change you’re getting used to. This can be something small, like having the same prescription added to a new frame, or something major like trying progressive lenses for the first time.
Adjusting to a New Vision Prescription
If you’re new to wearing glasses — or your prescription has changed since you got your last pair — it may take a bit to adjust to your new prescription lenses. This is because your eye muscles and brain have gotten accustomed to compensating for blurry vision. When you start wearing glasses for the first time, it can take a while for your eyes and brain to recalibrate to your new normal.
Because the first few days can feel a little wonky, try to avoid driving long distances or doing fast-paced activities. Also, wear your new glasses as often as you can for as long as you can. Keeping them on for longer periods of time gives your eyes more time to adjust, which can speed up the time it takes to get used to them.
Adjusting to the Same Prescription in a New Frame
Even if you’re a longtime member of the prescription glasses club and your Rx hasn’t changed, it’s possible to experience a learning curve with new frames. This is most common if your new frames are a different size or shape from the original ones.
If your new frames are larger than your old ones, you’ll have to get used to a wider field of vision — especially in your periphery (your side vision). On the other hand, downsizing frames can result in adjusting to a smaller field of vision.
Rest assured, the time it takes to accommodate a new pair of frames is usually pretty short. However, if you continue to experience problems, it’s a good idea to check with your eye doctor in case you need an adjustment to your frames or prescription.
Getting Used to a New Lens Type
It’s common for people aged 40 and over to experience presbyopia, which is an age-related vision change that affects near vision. If someone who already wears glasses for distance vision (with single-vision lenses) suddenly needs correction for near vision too, their eye doctor will likely prescribe a bifocal or multifocal lens to correct for both distances.
Going from eyewear with a single-vision lens to a bifocal or multifocal lens can be a fairly dramatic change, which is where the weekslong adjustment period comes in. Rather than having one single prescription in a lens, bifocal lenses have two prescriptions. A progressive lens is a type of multifocal lens with three prescriptions in one lens and no dividing lines between the segments.
While progressive lenses are convenient and a great option for those who need them, they take some time to get used to. Wearers must train themselves to use different sections of the lens to focus on objects at certain distances.
