An incorrect eye prescription can cause dizziness. This issue is often resolvable by identifying the underlying cause and adjusting your eyewear.
How Incorrect Prescriptions Cause Dizziness
Dizziness from an incorrect eye prescription often stems from a mismatch in the signals your brain receives. Your brain constantly integrates visual information from your eyes with balance information from your inner ear (vestibular system) and proprioception (body position sense) to maintain equilibrium. When an eye prescription is wrong, the visual input can be distorted or unclear, creating a conflict with the other sensory systems. This “visual-vestibular mismatch” can confuse the brain, leading to feelings of dizziness or even vertigo, which is a sensation of spinning.
To compensate for blurry or distorted vision, your eyes and brain may overexert themselves, resulting in eyestrain. This can lead to fatigue and discomfort, manifesting as dizziness. An incorrect prescription can also alter your perception of depth and distance, making it difficult to accurately judge your surroundings. This misjudgment can cause disorientation and contribute to an unsteady feeling.
Associated Symptoms and When to Seek Professional Advice
Dizziness caused by an incorrect eye prescription often accompanies other symptoms. These can include headaches, which arise from the increased effort your eyes and brain make to focus. You might also experience general eyestrain, characterized by tired or aching eyes, and blurred or double vision. Some individuals report nausea alongside their dizziness, which can be a result of the visual disorientation. These associated symptoms generally improve or disappear once the correct prescription is in place.
It is important to seek professional medical advice if dizziness persists or worsens. Consult a doctor promptly if dizziness is accompanied by severe headaches or neurological symptoms such as numbness, weakness, or difficulty speaking. A comprehensive medical evaluation is also recommended if dizziness occurs even when you are not wearing your glasses or contact lenses, or if it significantly impacts your daily activities, to rule out other potential causes.
Steps to Address Prescription-Related Dizziness
If you suspect your eye prescription is causing dizziness, the first step is to consult an eye care professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They can conduct a comprehensive eye exam to accurately determine if your prescription is incorrect or if there are other underlying vision issues contributing to your symptoms. It is important to clearly describe all your symptoms, including the nature of your dizziness and any accompanying discomfort, to help them make an accurate assessment.
If you have recently received new glasses, allow a short adjustment period, typically a few days to a week, for your eyes and brain to adapt to the new lenses. Even a correct new prescription can initially cause temporary dizziness as your brain adjusts. During this time, try to wear your new glasses consistently. If dizziness continues beyond this adjustment period, or if it is severe, contact your eye doctor for a re-evaluation. Regular eye examinations are also important to ensure your prescription remains accurate as your vision changes over time, helping to prevent future issues.