Why Your New Glasses May Cause Uneven Vision: Eye Prescription Changes

When wearing new glasses, the clarity of vision differs between the left and right eye?

Hello, Doctor: My old glasses had a prescription of -2.50 for my left eye with -0.75 astigmatism and -3.50 for my right eye with no astigmatism.
After wearing them for a long time, I felt that my vision wasn't very clear, and my right eye often felt dry and strained, so I decided to get new glasses.
The new prescription added +0.50 astigmatism to my right eye, while the other parameters remained unchanged.
The issue is that with the new glasses, the right eye feels brighter and clearer for distance, but the left eye has become blurrier, causing a noticeable disparity in vision.
It feels like only my right eye is seeing clearly when looking far away.
With my old glasses, both eyes didn’t see as clearly, but the disparity was more balanced.
Should I wear the new glasses longer to allow my eyes to adjust, or should I revert to the old prescription? The optometrist mentioned that I can't increase the prescription for the left eye to balance it out; the only way to achieve balance would be to remove the astigmatism correction from the right eye.
I'm mainly concerned that this disparity might affect my eyes.
Thank you for your guidance.

Yu, 40~49 year old female. Ask Date: 2020/12/04

Dr. Liang Ce reply Ophthalmology

I recommend that you discuss the above situation with your attending physician to determine if further examinations are necessary.
Thank you, and wishing you good health!

Reply Date: 2020/12/04

More Info

When it comes to adjusting to new glasses, especially after a change in prescription, it’s not uncommon to experience some visual discomfort or uneven vision. Your situation, where you have a new prescription that includes an increase in astigmatism for your right eye, while your left eye remains unchanged, can lead to a phenomenon known as "visual disparity." This occurs when the two eyes are not working together optimally due to differences in their corrective lenses.

Understanding Your Prescription Changes
In your case, your left eye has a prescription of -2.50 with 0.75 astigmatism, while your right eye has been adjusted to -3.50 with an additional 0.50 astigmatism. This change can create a situation where the right eye may seem clearer, but the left eye feels less sharp, leading to a feeling of imbalance or visual strain. The brain relies on both eyes to create a unified image, and when one eye is significantly different from the other, it can cause discomfort, headaches, or even visual fatigue.

Why You Might Feel Discomfort
1. Adaptation Period: When you switch to new glasses, especially with a different prescription, your eyes and brain need time to adjust. This adaptation period can vary from person to person, but it typically lasts from a few days to a couple of weeks. During this time, you may experience symptoms like blurriness, headaches, or a feeling of imbalance.

2. Increased Astigmatism: The increase in astigmatism in your right eye means that your brain is processing light differently from that eye compared to the left. This can lead to a feeling that one eye is working harder than the other, which can cause discomfort.

3. Lens Design: The type of lenses you have (single vision, bifocal, progressive) can also impact how you perceive clarity. If your new glasses have a different lens design than your old ones, this could contribute to the feeling of visual disparity.

What You Can Do
1. Give It Time: If you’ve just received your new glasses, it’s advisable to wear them consistently for a few days to allow your eyes to adjust. However, if discomfort persists beyond two weeks, it may be worth revisiting your optometrist.

2. Consult Your Optometrist: Since your optometrist mentioned that adjusting the left eye's prescription is not advisable, it’s crucial to discuss your concerns with them. They may suggest a different approach, such as reducing the astigmatism in your right eye or considering a different lens type that could provide better balance.

3. Consider Temporary Solutions: If the discomfort is significant, you might want to alternate between your old and new glasses until you feel more comfortable with the new prescription. This can help reduce strain while your eyes adjust.

4. Visual Exercises: Engaging in simple eye exercises can help improve coordination between your eyes. Focusing on objects at different distances can help your brain adapt to the new visual input.

5. Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms. If you experience persistent headaches, dizziness, or significant discomfort, it’s essential to seek further evaluation. Sometimes, a simple adjustment to the frames or lenses can make a significant difference.

Conclusion
In summary, adjusting to new glasses, particularly with changes in prescription, can lead to temporary visual discomfort and uneven vision. It’s essential to give your eyes time to adapt while also being proactive about your eye health. If discomfort continues, consulting with your optometrist for further evaluation and potential adjustments is crucial. Remember, your comfort and visual clarity are paramount, and there are solutions available to help you achieve the best vision possible.

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