Okay, let's be real. Getting new glasses should be exciting, right? Clearer vision, a fresh look… But what happens when your new specs leave you feeling dizzy, nauseous, or just plain off? I've been there, and it's incredibly frustrating! I recently went through a similar experience, and I want to share what I learned to help you navigate this tricky situation.
I've been wearing glasses for computer work since 2015, so I'm no stranger to the world of prescription lenses. However, my recent experience with a new pair was unlike anything I'd encountered before. I noticed a strange peripheral distortion that made it hard to focus. Things seemed warped around the edges, and I constantly felt like I was adjusting to a new world, even though I was just sitting at my desk.
The disorientation was persistent and incredibly annoying. I even measured my old glasses and compared them to the new ones. I discovered the prescription center in my old glasses was about 4mm lower than the new ones. It sounds like a small amount, but it made a huge difference!
It wasn't just the distortion. I felt a general sense of unease and found myself constantly straining my eyes to compensate. "Is this normal?" I wondered. "Will I ever get used to these?" The feeling was so bad that "getting used to them" wasn't an option.
I started to feel like I was on pair number ten, and I still wasn't happy. It was so frustrating. Something was off that I couldn't pinpoint.
Desperate for relief, I started researching possible causes and solutions. Here's what I learned and what ultimately helped me:
One of the first things I looked into was the pupil distance (PD) and height measurements of my lenses. It turns out that even slight inaccuracies in these measurements can cause significant visual discomfort. I learned that if these measurements are off, it can feel like you're constantly fighting to focus, leading to headaches and distortion.
I went back to the optician and asked them to double-check my PD and height measurements. They found a slight discrepancy, which they corrected. While this didn't completely solve the problem, it made a noticeable difference.
Another potential culprit I discovered was the base curve of the lens. The base curve is the curvature of the front surface of the lens, and it needs to be compatible with the curvature of your eye. If the base curve is too steep or too flat, it can cause distortion and eye strain.
I remembered reading about someone who had a similar experience and their optician found it to be a base curve issue. I still had my old glasses, so I decided to bring them with me to the optician and asked them to measure the base curve of the lenses on both pairs. This helped the optician understand the specific differences between the two pairs and identify any potential problems.
I also considered the size and fit of my new frames. I realised that a frame that's too big can be problematic, especially for stronger prescriptions. Larger frames can increase peripheral distortion and make it harder for your eyes to adjust to the lenses.
I tried on several different frame styles and sizes to find one that fit my face comfortably and positioned the lenses correctly in front of my eyes. A proper fit can make a world of difference!
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