Getting used to your new glasses

Thanks to the detailed measurements we take, most people adjust quickly but others may experience slight dizziness at first when moving quickly from one viewing area to the next. 

Your eyes and brain will quickly work out which part of the multifocal lens you need to look through for optimum vision, and initially this will mean learning to move your head about a little more, rather than solely relying on moving your eyes around. 

Most first‑time multifocal wearers really enjoy the full range of vision they get, from distance to near, without having to change or take off glasses, and once adjusted to the new frames they often forget they’re wearing them. 

Your brain needs some time to get used to the new viewing areas of your multifocals, especially if you’re trying them for the first time. This can take a few days. 

Compared to multifocal designs from 10 or 20 years ago, modern multifocal lenses have more comfortable and user‑friendly transition zones between the different strengths. So, most people find they can adapt quite easily and quickly to wearing multifocals. 

Even though it might feel strange, it’s best to keep wearing your glasses so that your eyes can gradually adjust. 

Some people may experience headaches and dizziness (usually mild) when they’re getting used to new multifocals. This is common if you have a history of being sensitive to changes in your vision or taking more time to adjust to new glasses in the past. 

These symptoms will naturally subside the more you wear your multifocals, but if they persist and are consistent with wearing the new glasses, please pop by to see our team in‑store when you’re nearby. It may be that the frame needs to be tweaked to reduce this effect. 

The magnified element of a multifocal is found at the bottom and helps with reading and close‑up work. This can mean that as well as magnifying near print, you also notice that other objects appear magnified when you glance down. This is something to keep in mind when you first wear multifocals, particularly when you’re going down stairs or judging where kerbs or steps are. 

Remember to move your whole head downwards a little more, towards your chin, so you’re looking more towards the top of the multifocal lens when getting used to judging distances and working out where kerbs and steps are. But once you get familiar with the multifocals this will become much more natural. 

• When putting them down, make sure the lenses are facing the sky...otherwise they could get scratched

• Spray lenses with lens spray on both sides and use the cloth from your case to clean them​

• Put them on and take them off with both hands​

• Visit your local Specsavers store regularly to have your frames tightened, cleaned and the fit checked, as they can loosen with use over time.

• Wiping your lenses with things like a t‑shirt or towel can cause them to scratch ‑ use the cloth from your case instead

Your case is very important to keep your glasses safe when you are not wearing them. If you need a new one, let your caregivers know so they can ask your local Specsavers store to help you out.

We include a special treatment when making your lenses to help reduce the chance of them scratching. But you still need to make sure you keep them safe. When putting them down, make sure the lenses are facing the sky and you're using your spray and lens cloth to clean them. ​

Your case is very important to keep your glasses safe when you are not wearing them. If they're not on your face, pop them in the case.

Even though our in‑store experts have taken time to make your glasses just right for you, having something new on your face can take some time to get used to.​

We get it, you might never have had the hug of a frame on your nose or ears before and that is ok! But please know that you can always come back to see us if they need a little more help to feel 'just right'.

Not all glasses are designed to be worn all of the time. Some are made to support task‑specific activities like in the classroom, or on computers only. Your Optometrist will walk you through how to use them and what to expect when you get your new glasses, especially if they are not for full‑time wear. ​

If you have any questions on when to wear your new glasses, please reach out to your local store, as using glasses for the wrong activities can feel uncomfortable, make it harder to see, or cause headaches.

We use technology more and more, and your eyes generally need to work harder when using screens or when doing up close‑work for a long time. It also means extra focusing effort, which reduces how often we blink ‑ this can dry out the eyes, especially when adjusting to new glasses, and can lead to tired‑eyes and headaches.​

Task‑specific glasses and lens treatments might be suggested by your Optometrist and Specsavers team, to help with this.​

You can also try;​

• Taking regular breaks​

• Try the 20‑20‑20 rule, which is to look away from the screen every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds, at something 20 feet (6 metres) away. This will allow your eye muscles to relax. ​

• Set your screen up to just below eye level and about an arm’s length away to help reduce digital fatigue. ​

• Spending time outdoors reduces the risk of developing short‑sightedness.