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Eye Care  (Expert Forum)
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New Eyeglasses give me headaches and vision problems
Answered by
John C Hagan III, MD, FACS - Ophthalmology
Discover Vision Centers Kansas City - MO
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MedHelp Member's Question

New Eyeglasses give me headaches and vision problems

by xthegoodboyx, Jul 17, 2007 12:00AM
Hi,

I recently went to Lenscrafters to get me a new pair of glasses. I had my eye exam done and was told everything was good and that my old prescription changed just a little in each eye. I got my glasses the same day and automatically I could tell that I could see better, at least everything was more clearer. But I also noticed that things werent right when I moved my head or if I looked to the side. I thought it might be the drops she put in my eyes before hand so I didnt say anything. Now im seeing that the problem im having is that everything is clearer but that objects seem to be stretching when I move or seem to be vertical as I move my head..like inward and outward. I'm not good at describing the problem but it seems things are moving when I move to an angle. If anyone has any idea on what could be causing this so I can explain it to my doctor when I go back please reply.

Thanks!
Doctor's Answer

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Jul 17, 2007 12:00AM
There are a number of things that might cause this problem: a new or different correction in the glasses for astigmatism, adjustment to a bifocal (lined or unlined), problems with the 'pupillary distance', big change in frame style, size or angle lens tilted (pantoscopic tilt) or different base curves.

As to what to tell the doctor you alread told us:

'Now im seeing that the problem im having is that everything is clearer but that objects seem to be stretching when I move or seem to be vertical as I move my head..like inward and outward.'

JCH MD Eye Physician and Surgeon  (Eye MD = Ophthalmologist)
Member Comments (7)

by xthegoodboyx, Jul 22, 2007 12:00AM
Thanks for your reply JHC. I went back to Lenscrafters the other day and told one of the employees what was going on and he checked the lens and said nothing was wrong with them and even did adjustment to the frame and made it tighter thinking it would help or stop the problem which I thought was dumb and once he adjusted them I put them back on and the problem was of course still there and he then asked how long I had been wearing them and I told him a week and he said pretty much that my eyes have to adjust to them and to give them another week and if nothing has changed to make another appointment with the doctor . So im doing that but im researching more and as far as I know I have never been told I have an astigmatism and I just had my routine contact exam last October and im not using any contacts for an astigmastim and my old glasses didnt have any correction for it so im thinking since they think I do have that they are trying to correct it with my lenses and that is what is causing my problem. I could be wrong but until I had my exam for these eyeglasses I was never told I had an astigmastim and these glasses have that correction in them...Do you think that could be it? Here is my Prescription. I had a little change in my left eye from -1.50 to 1.75 and my right has not changed since my old eyeglasses and my conacts are -1.75 in my left and -1.25 in my right.

Here is my new prescrpriton :


Sphere OD : -1.25 Cylinder -0.50 Axis 082
Sphere OS : -2.00 Cylinder -0.50 Axis 103

Again thank you for your reply.

by elsieb, Jul 27, 2007 05:47PM
To: xthegoodoyxb
I bought a new pair of glasses (also at Lenscrafters) 2 weeks ago and have the same problem. Severe stretching every time I move my head or shift my eyes. Have never experienced this before. My RX only changed slightly. Creates problems particularly when driving, as I cannot see when I have to turn or look side to side. My new glasses also make things look farther away, and thus smaller, so I cannot read signs as well with them as I could with my old glasses! I am thinking about getting a refund and going back to my old glasses for now.

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Jul 27, 2007 08:18PM
Your glasses prescription has a small correction for astigmatism (the second number is the amount and the third number is the direction) but a half diopter of astigmatism doesn't usually cause problems. If you wear contact lens there can be problems switching back and fourth (spectacle blur) especially if they are gas permeable contacts.

I believe the optical you went to (Lenscrafters) has a 30 day money back guarentee. If you aren't happy with them by day 27 or 28 consider returning them for a full refund.

JCH MD

by xthegoodboyx, Jul 30, 2007 07:58AM
Thanks JCH. I also didnt mean to call you JHC btw. lol. Anyway, I made another appointment with the eye doctor at Lenscrafters. If they dont fix the problem this time im gonna have to take em back and go with another doctor. I am very confused on what the problem could be considering with my old eyeglasses I saw fine but I do notice with the new lens in these eyeglasses I see clearer cause of the change in the prescription. I just wish I knew what would make things stretch or make things seem vertical when I move my head but I definately am not leaving that place until they are corrected or I'll get my money back. I spent alot on em and I dont see why I should keep em when I wont use them. My main reason for getting the new eye glasses is cause I wear my contacts all the time and I know it isnt good to so I figured Id get some new ones to give my eyes a break. Do you think I should tell them to look at my old lenses and give me those in my new glasses or are they allowed to once they've already given you a new prescription?
  

by John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, Jul 30, 2007 07:44PM
The fall back position if you are completely dissatisfied with your new glasses and completely satisfied with your old glasses is to ask them to put the "old" prescription in the new frames. They will then take the readings off your old glass and make new lens with the old comfortable prescription. If you do that ask them to use your old "base curve" and to measure the pupilary distance "PD" carefully. Try and keep the lens material, lens coatings the same. That way the only variable is the difference in the size and shape of the frame.

JCH III MD Eye Physician & Surgeon.

by Wesker, Aug 12, 2007 01:04PM
To: Anyone
Well i've had glasses for about 2 years but about a month ago something got a hold of them and they had to be replaced, when i got them replaced they didnt give me the same kinda lenses i had before. See i had anti reflective lenses originally and when they fixed them i didn't have them so i was seeing light reflections everywhere. Well finally about a week ago I made an eye exam appointment since i realized it's been about two years since i last went in and they made my perscription very slightly stronger cause my vision hasn't really gotten any worse and they also gave me the anti reflective lenses but ever since i've gotten these glasses i've been experiencing a wierd kinda headache. I mean it usually doesn't hurt it's just that the back/top of my head feels kinda heavy and before i start freaking out i was wondering if the new glasses i got would have any part in this? It feels fine when my head is resting against something or when im layin down, but soon as i sit up or stand up it gets that heavy feeling. If anyone can help me i'd very well appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

by John C Hagan, Aug 12, 2007 10:10PM
Sorry, I can't help you much given the nature of your complaint. A good piece of advice would be to see an eye physician (ophthalmologist or Eye MD) for a comprehensive medical eye examination. When you go in take both your new and old glasses to the examination.

JCH III MD

by John C Hagan, Aug 12, 2007 10:10PM
Above comment was to Wesker.

JCH3MD

by yz4, Oct 27, 2008 10:46PM
A related discussion, Can dryeye or inaccurate astigmatism correction cause dull headaches? was started.
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