Getting new glasses should be exciting, right? A chance to see the world a little clearer. But what happens when your new specs give you headaches, make you feel dizzy, or just generally feel "off"? I recently went through this myself, and it was incredibly frustrating. Let me share my experience and what I learned about dealing with peripheral distortion and focus problems with new eyeglasses.
I've been wearing glasses for computer work since 2015, so I'm no stranger to the world of lenses. However, my recent experience with a new pair of glasses was unlike anything I'd encountered before. I noticed immediately that something was wrong. The prescription seemed fine, but I was experiencing significant peripheral distortion. Things just didn't look right around the edges. It was hard to focus, and I felt a constant strain on my eyes. To make matters worse, I realized that the height of the lenses in my old glasses was about 4mm lower than the new ones. I was constantly comparing my old glasses with my new ones and became increasingly frustrated.
I wasn’t sure what was causing the problem, but the discomfort was affecting my daily life. I felt sick and just getting used to them wasn't an option.
Determined to find a solution, I started researching and experimenting. Here's what I discovered and what I tried:
One of the first things I looked into was the pupil distance (PD) and lens height measurements. I learned that if these measurements are off, it can cause significant visual distortions. It turns out that this is a common cause of problems with new glasses. The optician needs to measure the exact distance between your pupils and the height at which your eyes sit in the frames. If those measurements are not correct, the lenses will not be aligned properly, leading to blurry vision and discomfort.
Another potential culprit I discovered was the base curve of the lens. The base curve is the curvature of the front surface of the lens. If the base curve is not correct for your prescription and the shape of your face, it can also lead to peripheral distortion. I brought my old glasses to my optician, and they measured the base curve of the lenses on both pairs. It turned out there was a slight difference, which could have contributed to the problem.
I also considered the size of the frames. If the frame is too big, it can be problematic, especially with stronger prescriptions. Larger frames increase the distance between your eyes and the edges of the lenses, which can exacerbate peripheral distortion. I realized that my new frames were slightly larger than my old ones.
I also considered astigmatism. Sometimes, astigmatism correction can give that “underwater” feeling, especially for those new to it. I looked back at my prescription, and while I have a slight cylinder correction, it wasn’t very strong.
After trying a few things, I found a combination of solutions that worked for me. First, I opted for thinner lenses. Choosing a thinner lens material can reduce the effect of peripheral distortion. High-index lenses are thinner and lighter than standard lenses, which can make a big difference, especially if you have a strong prescription. This helped reduce the "fishbowl" effect I was experiencing.
Secondly, I switched to a frame that fit my face better. I considered rimless designs like the Rimless Reading Glasses Men Women Vintage Frameless Anti Blue Light Presbyopic Glasses from Mozaer Eyeglasses. The minimalist style and frameless design are lightweight and comfortable. And because the lenses are closer to my eyes and there's less frame obstructing my peripheral vision, the distortion was significantly reduced.
These glasses are designed for both men and women and even have anti-blue light coating which is great for computer work. I found them to be a comfortable and stylish alternative to my previous glasses.
Based on my experience, here are some practical tips to help you deal with peripheral distortion and focus issues with new glasses: