I just got new glasses and when I wear them I get a headache and I feel sick. W!

I just got new glasses and when I wear them I get a headache and I feel sick. What do I do?

There are several things that should be checked when your new glasses give you a headache. First, are they single vision, or multi-focal lenses? And was there a large jump in your prescription? If you had a large change, sometimes it will take a few days until you are fully used to the lenses.

If the lenses are single vision, meaning that they are for distance only, and you have tried wearing them and continue to get the headaches, then you need to go back to where you got them. There are several things that need to be checked.

First - are the glasses made to the correct prescription? Have them neutralize them and make sure that they are made to what the doctor ordered. There is something called "tolerance" and that is how much the prescription can be off by that will still be tolerated by the patient and it is dependent upon the strength of the lens. So a person with a stronger prescription has less tolerance for error on their lenses than someone with a milder one. Its usually only a few degrees on the axis, and a usually a 1/12 in the power. But it varies from prescription to prescription.

If the lenses are the right prescription, have them check the PD (pupillary distance). This is the measurement used to place the optical centers of the lenses (the clearest part of the lens) right in front of your eye. If they are off, even though the prescription is correct, it will effect your vision. Also, if your frame is very big on your face and your eyes sit in it off-center, they need to specify where to put the optical centers in relation to where your eyes are positioned.

Next, have them check the adjustment of the frame. You'd be surprised at how much an adjustment can effect the way you see out of your glasses. The tilt of the frame (how far the lenses are either tilted towards or away from your cheeks) and the the wrap (how much the frame follows the front curve of your face) can impact how you see through your glasses, particularly if you have a lot of astigmatism. Also, have them check how far away from your face the glasses sit. If the frames sit up and out on your nose, have them spread out the nosepads so they sit down and in.

Next, what material are your lenses? Are they plastic, hi-index plastic, polycarbonate, or glass? Some people have a hard time adjusting to polycarbonate lenses, particularly those with higher prescriptions. Polycarbonate lenses are thinner, lighter, and impact resistant, but they do produce some distortion. If you have polycarbonate lenses because of a higher prescription, ask for hi-index plastic instead, also called a "Spectralite" lens. They are often thinner than the polycarbonate with a higer index of refraction.

If you have multi-focal lenses, the things I just mentioned all need to be checked also. With multi-focals, especially Progressive lenses (also called no-line bifocals) they need to double-check the height and make sure that they didn't measure you too high, or too low. If you feel that you can only really see to drive when you bring your chin to your chest, or you can only really read well when you tilt your head way back, then the bifocal measurement is either too high, or too low. You should only have to adjust your head by a few degrees in order to be able to use your progressive lenses comfortably. A lot of times, this can be taken care of by simply adjusting the frame. But when the measurement is WAY off, they will need to re-make them for you. It is normal to get a little sick when you are first getting used to your progressive lenses. You need to try to wear them as much as possible and most people, within a few weeks will adjust. Some people take a little longer. And still some people can never get used to them. Its important to make sure that you communicate with your eye care professionals so that they can work with you. If you cannot get used to Progressive lenses, you will need to be put into either lined bifocals, or you will need to get 2 pairs of glasses (one for reading, one for driving)

And if all else fails, have the doctor recheck you. Generally, most eye doctors will recheck you free of charge as long as its within a certain time frame. If you are a diabetic, or a hypertension patient, sometimes this can effect your prescription, especially if you don't have your blood sugar or your blood pressure under control. Also, if you were in late in the day after work for an exam, your eyes were tired and you probably will see things differently if you schedule it earlier in the day. Having an eye exam in the evening is probably the worst time to do it.

Well, I hope this helps you out, now that I just gave you a crash course in Optics! In any case, it is best to contact your doctor and and get in to see them so you can get this taken care of as quickly as possible. And if they are a reputable place, they will work with you and get you taken care of. But they can't fix it unless they know its broke. So make sure you get in to see them soon...because several months from now, they may charge you to remake anything.

Good luck!!!