Wearing glasses should bring you more comfort, not pain. Yet many people experience headaches shortly after putting on their glasses or by the end of the day. In most cases, this discomfort isn’t something you have to live with. It’s a sign that your eyes are working too hard or that your glasses are not properly adjusted. The good news is that a licensed optician can help resolve the issue.
Understanding the most common causes
Headaches caused by glasses can come from several sources. Some are subtle and hard to detect without the help of a vision care professional. Here are the three most common ones.
1. A prescription that no longer fits your needs
Your vision changes over time, sometimes without you noticing. A prescription that’s too strong or too weak forces your eyes to work harder, especially when reading, working on a screen or driving. This constant effort can lead to eye strain, difficulty focusing and eventually recurring headaches.
2. Poorly adjusted frames
Even with the right prescription, glasses that don’t fit properly can be uncomfortable. If your lenses aren’t aligned with your pupils or if your frames are too tight or too loose, your vision may be affected. Uneven pressure on your nose or behind your ears can also cause physical discomfort that turns into tension headaches.
3. Eye strain from extended use
Spending hours on a computer or phone puts a lot of stress on your eyes. Without anti-reflective coatings or blue light filters, artificial lighting can become irritating. Reduced blinking, constant refocusing and poor lighting conditions all contribute to visual fatigue and end-of-day headaches.
How a licensed optician can help
A licensed optician looks at the full picture. They consider your symptoms, your posture, how you wear your glasses and when your discomfort starts. They can:
- Check if your prescription is still accurate
- Make sure your lenses are centered based on your facial structure
- Adjust the fit of your frames to distribute pressure more evenly
- Recommend lenses that suit your daily needs, such as anti-fatigue lenses, anti-reflective coatings, blue light filters or photochromic lenses
They can also offer simple tips to reduce eye strain, like the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Don’t wait until the discomfort becomes a daily issue
Headaches caused by glasses tend to build up gradually and often signal that your visual comfort is not optimal. If you notice the first signs, don’t wait. A quick visit to a licensed optician can lead to a simple adjustment or new lenses that make a real difference in your day-to-day comfort.
Learn how a licensed optician can help you fix the problem
Derick Summers
R.O Freelance Optician and Trainer
