Vertigo, often described as a sensation of spinning or feeling off-balance, can be disorienting. While glasses are not a medical condition, they can certainly contribute to or trigger these dizzy sensations in specific situations. This is a common concern for individuals who are new to wearing glasses or those who have recently received an updated prescription. New glasses change how light is collected and sent to the brain, which then interprets these signals. This adjustment process can temporarily disrupt the brain’s accustomed visual processing.
How Glasses Can Cause Dizziness
The brain constantly adapts to visual input, and new glasses introduce altered visual information that requires adjustment. When a new prescription is introduced, the brain needs time to adapt to changes in magnification, lens curvature, and visual fields. This adaptation period can lead to temporary dizziness or disorientation, especially if the prescription change is significant.
Progressive lenses, which offer multiple focal zones, are a common source of dizziness. The transition between these zones can create visual distortion or a “swimmy” sensation, causing disorientation, especially when moving the head or looking through the incorrect part of the lens. This “swim effect” impacts peripheral vision and can distort what is seen at the edges.
An incorrect prescription can also induce dizziness or vertigo. Glasses that are too strong, too weak, or have an inaccurate axis for astigmatism can result in blurry vision, eye strain, and headaches. This disorienting visual input conflicts with the body’s balance system. Poorly fitting frames, with lenses that sit incorrectly, can also lead to visual distortions and contribute to dizziness.
Vision Problems That Aggravate Vertigo
Certain pre-existing visual conditions can aggravate or contribute to vertigo symptoms. Binocular vision dysfunction (BVD) occurs when the eyes do not work together efficiently, leading to misalignment. This misalignment forces the brain to struggle to merge the two images from each eye, causing eye strain and dizziness. The brain receives conflicting signals from the visual and vestibular (balance) systems, which can trigger vertigo.
Astigmatism, where the eye’s curvature causes blurred vision, can also lead to dizziness. While glasses correct astigmatism, new glasses for this condition can still cause a temporary “boat effect” as the eyes adjust. Uncorrected or improperly corrected astigmatism can cause distorted and disorienting visual input.
Subtle imbalances in eye muscles can also lead to visual fatigue and vertigo. These imbalances make it difficult for the eyes to aim properly, straining muscles and causing dizziness. For older adults, presbyopia, which affects the ability to focus on near objects, can introduce new visual challenges. The need for reading glasses or bifocals to correct presbyopia can sometimes trigger dizziness as the eyes adjust to different focal points.
When to Consult a Professional
If dizziness or vertigo persists after an initial adjustment period (typically a few days to two weeks with new glasses), consult the prescribing eye care professional. They can assess the prescription’s accuracy, check the frame fit, and rule out other eye-related causes. If the issue continues after adjustments or re-evaluation, further steps may be necessary.
Seek evaluation from a general practitioner or other specialists if vertigo is severe or accompanied by additional symptoms. These symptoms can include a severe headache, double vision, numbness, weakness in limbs, changes in hearing, or ringing in the ears. Such symptoms might indicate non-vision-related causes of vertigo, such as inner ear issues or neurological conditions. While adjusting to new eyewear, taking breaks, gradually increasing wear time, and ensuring proper lighting can offer temporary relief.