Trouble adjusting to new astigmatism prescription

[Bay84]

I recently made an appointment to have my eyes checked by an optometrist.  It had been almost 10 years since my last appointment.  My old prescription was very low (-0.75 in both eyes) and I only used my glasses for driving or watching movies.  Because I didn't like the way my old glasses looked, I grew accustomed to squinting daily.  I made the appointment to get updated glasses, as well as to address the starburst effect of lights at night that my old prescription no longer corrected.

My new prescription includes astigmatism in both eyes (-0.75, -0.25 x 105 and -0.75, -0.25 x 010).  When I first put on the new glasses, everything was distorted.  I tested them out at the mall and noticed that things are brighter and crisper, but that I can only focus on certain areas at a time.  The only way I can think to describe it is like an eagle honing in on a field mouse.  My distance vision is great, but the "big picture" and close up objects are more difficult to see than with my old prescription.

When driving at night, I've noticed that the starburst effect on traffic lights has changed.  I no longer see 50 rays coming out of each light, now I see pentagons with an extremely slight double image.  

Does this sound familiar when switching to an astigmatism prescription?  I'm going to give it at least a week before I contact the optometrist about a possible recheck.  As of right now, I still have the slight dizzy feeling when putting the glasses on.  The really weird thing is I got two new pairs of glasses, but one is easier to adjust to then the other, although the prescriptions are identical.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

The astigmatism in your glasses is very, very small so it might not be that.  It could be that the power of the sphere is different. Either way, you simply need to go back to see the doctor who measured you for glasses and kindly ask to be remeasured.

MJK MD

[Bay84]

Thanks for your response.  I have been adjusting to the new glasses over the past few days.  My right eye grew accustomed to the lenses very quickly, but my left eye took an extra day.  I no longer have the dizzy feeling, double vision, or "honing in" effect on distant objects.  However, I do feel funny at times, especially if I'm focusing on objects that are mid-range or close.  Distance vision is great though.

I'm still debating on whether or not to have a recheck done, especially because my symptoms are so slight that I can only describe them by saying, "things feel funny."  I think it will put me at ease to at least discuss this with the optometrist, so I am leaning toward that option.