How can you tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? (2024)

How can you tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? (1)If something seems off with your new prescription glasses, how can you tell whether you just need time to adjust to them or if the prescription is wrong? In this post, we outline how long it takes to adjust to new glasses and signs that your prescription glasses are wrong.

It is common for your eyes and brain to take some time to adjust to your new prescription glasses, especially if it’s your first pair of glasses or if it’s been a while since your prescription was updated.

It can also take some time to adjust to different glasses frames. Changing to wrap-around frames can alter the curve of the glass. Changing from larger frames to smaller frames can affect lens thickness and your peripheral vision.

The biggest potential problem is a faulty prescription, because your eyes will not adjust to your new glasses. Errors can occur during your eye examination, where the optometrist interpretes your answers about what you can and can’t see. If you scheduled your eye exam after work, when your eyes are tired and strained, it could skew the results of the exam.

Until you adjust to your new prescription glasses, it might appear that your new glasses don’t correct your vision as well as your old pair. This is completely normal. Most people find that it can take anywhere from 5 minutes to a few days to adjust to their new prescription glasses.

However, if they are your first pair of glasses, if there is a large change in the prescription, or if you are changing to a progressive or multifocal lens, it can take 2-6 weeks or longer for your eyes and brain to adjust. Your optometrist will be able to advise you on how long it may take for you to adjust to your prescription glasses.

You will not be able to adjust to your glasses if the prescription is incorrect.

If you experience any of these symptoms for an extended period of time, after the adjustment period, your prescription may be incorrect:

  • Extreme blurring of vision
  • Lack of focus
  • Poor vision when one eye is closed
  • Excessive eye strain
  • Headaches or dizziness
  • Vertigo or nausea, unrelated to a medical condition

Remember, you know your body best, so if you think something is “off” with your prescription glasses it’s always best to seek advice from a qualified optometrist.

If you notice any of the above symptoms while using a pair of glasses that you’ve had for a while, it’s time to get your eyes retested. Your prescription might have changed. Don’t throw away your old glasses, donate them! Read more about this in our post about What To Do With Your Old Glasses.

If you feel that something isn’t quite right with your prescription glasses or your vision isn’t as clear as it should be, contact Custom EyeCare today. We have the knowledge and expertise to investigate and solve the problem. Even if you got your glasses elsewhere, we will be happy to have a look at them.

When you book in for an eye test at Custom EyeCare, we conduct a thorough examination, discuss results and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Our qualified optical dispensers provide professional advice on which frames and lenses are right for you, so you can be confident that your new prescription glasses will be the perfect fit.

How can you tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? (2024)

FAQs

How can you tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? ›

A sure sign your prescription is wrong is if you can't see clearly through them. New lenses or a change in prescription can require a few weeks to adjust to, but if you're still struggling, there may be an issue. Besides blurry vision, watch for other signs of an incorrect prescription: Eyestrain.

How to tell if your glasses are the wrong prescription? ›

A sure sign your prescription is wrong is if you can't see clearly through them. New lenses or a change in prescription can require a few weeks to adjust to, but if you're still struggling, there may be an issue. Besides blurry vision, watch for other signs of an incorrect prescription: Eyestrain.

Is there a way to test your glasses prescription? ›

The GlassesUSA Prescription Scanner is a free app that uses your smartphone camera to scan your current eyeglasses and read the prescription. You'll also submit a selfie photo to measure your pupillary distance (PD), the distance between your pupils.

What happens if you wear glasses higher than your prescription? ›

Answer: Overcorrection can give some patients a headache but will have no permanent effect on the vision.

How do I know if my glasses prescription is strong? ›

One of the first signs noticed if glasses are too strong is the development of blurry vision. If you notice that things are blurry, fuzzy, or out of focus, it could indicate that your prescription is incorrect.

Can I get a refund if my eye prescription is wrong? ›

A good policy will replace the glasses or fully refund your purchase price if the problem is related to a defect in materials or an eyeglass lens prescription that wasn't made properly. If your eyeglasses break because of a defect, you should have no trouble getting your money back.

What happens if you wear the wrong prescription lenses? ›

If the prescription of your lenses is inaccurate, your eyes will work harder. You could then suffer from blurred vision, eye strain and headaches. In adults, there isn't a high risk of long-term eye damage associated with wearing the wrong prescription glasses.

How do I verify my eye prescription? ›

How can I find out my eye prescription? A person should always request their eyeglass or contact lens prescription from the office that performed their last eye exam. If people cannot access their prescription there are several companies who can provide one if a person has an up-to-date prescription lens.

How can I test my eyesight at home? ›

Keep both eyes open and cover one eye with the palm of the hand. Read the chart, beginning with the top line and moving down the lines until it is too difficult to read the letters. Record the number of the smallest line that you know you read correctly. Repeat with the other eye.

Can I test my eyesight on my phone? ›

Acuity. Our free app enables anyone to check vision using an Android smartphone.

How bad is a 0.75 eye prescription? ›

When discussing eyesight, the term “0.75 eyesight” often arises, referring to a mild level of myopia. Individuals with a prescription of -0.75 diopters face challenges with distant vision but may still function relatively well without correction. However, the question remains: Can 0.75 eyesight be cured?

Will eyes adjust to a wrong prescription? ›

Wearing the wrong prescription eyeglasses can damage the eyes. It can take a few days or weeks to adjust to new glasses. If you still cannot see well with your glasses after a few weeks, your prescription may be too weak or too strong. This happens sometimes, and it can cause headaches, eye strain, and fatigue.

Why can I suddenly see better without my glasses? ›

What Could Cause Sudden Vision Improvements? It's much more common for vision improvements to be caused by medical conditions than lifestyle changes. Conditions like diabetes, cataracts, or even the development of something called “second sight” could be what's causing your vision to suddenly be better.

How to tell if your glasses prescription is wrong? ›

Distorted or warped vision

A bit of fuzz around letters or lights is only one sign of an incorrect prescription. Warping or distortion in your vision can also be a symptom. For example, depth perception issues are common if your prescription is wrong or your glasses don't fit correctly.

How can I test the strength of my glasses? ›

Option #1: Use a Printable Diopter Reading Test Card

Continue down the chart until you find a line you can read clearly without your glasses on – this is the diopter (power/magnification) you need. Tip: Make sure to remove your glasses when you use the diopter test.

How to find out your eye prescription without going to the doctor? ›

Usually, you can visit your practice's website to request the prescription, call them, or send an email. Some companies may even be able to send over prescriptions on the same day. Simply search the practice and location online to find out more about the best way to contact your optician!

How can you tell if glasses are fake or prescription? ›

A cloudy lens, or a lens that doesn't help correct your vision problem, is often a sign of a counterfeit pair of glasses. Prescription glasses can be checked with special tools at an optometrist's office or with special scanners called lens meters.

What happens if you wear glasses that aren t the right prescription? ›

When adults wear the wrong prescription, it may cause eye strain, but it will not hurt their vision. However, if children wear the wrong prescription, it can make myopia progress faster. Regardless of your age, getting the right prescription to correct your vision improves your life.

Can the wrong eyeglass prescription make you dizzy? ›

Wearing the wrong prescription for long periods of time can make some patients feel dizzy or as though they have vertigo. The wrong prescription can distort your visual field which can make you feel dizzy or nauseous. Your eyes are working hard to try and correct the images being perceived.

Is it normal to see blurry with new glasses? ›

Please know that blurry vision with new glasses is extremely common. Whether it's getting used to a new prescription, a new eyeglass frame shape or size, new lenses, etc. it will take some time. Your new glasses are not necessarily poorly manufactured.

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