Your old glasses may be causing dizziness due to eye strain, particularly if your prescription has changed.
While technically an old prescription itself doesn't directly cause vertigo, the strain your eyes experience trying to compensate for the outdated prescription can lead to dizziness. Vision Specialists of Michigan points out that when your eyes are constantly working to correct and align, this exertion can result in eye strain, which in turn, can trigger dizziness or vertigo.
Here's a breakdown of why this happens:
- Outdated Prescription: Your vision may have changed since your last eye exam. The old glasses are no longer correcting your vision effectively, leading to blurry vision and strain.
- Eye Strain and Misalignment: Your eye muscles work harder to focus through the incorrect prescription. This constant effort can cause eye strain, headaches, and dizziness.
- Visual Mismatch: If one eye is more affected than the other, the discrepancy between what each eye sees can cause visual disorientation, contributing to dizziness.
- Changes in Lens Power: Your brain has adapted to the specific lens power of your old glasses. Switching to a new prescription, or even using an old, inaccurate one, can temporarily disrupt your balance and spatial awareness.
What to Do If Your Old Glasses Make You Dizzy:
- Schedule an Eye Exam: The most important step is to see an eye doctor or optometrist. They can determine your current prescription and rule out any underlying medical conditions.
- Get New Glasses: If your prescription has changed significantly, new glasses with the correct prescription are essential.
- Adapt Gradually: When you get new glasses, wear them for short periods initially to allow your eyes and brain to adjust to the new prescription.
- Consider Progressive Lenses (if applicable): If you have progressive lenses (no-line bifocals), ensure they are fitted correctly and that you are looking through the appropriate part of the lens for near and far vision.
- Rule out other causes of dizziness: Dizziness can stem from inner ear problems, medications, or other medical conditions. Consult with your doctor if dizziness persists even after addressing your vision.
In summary, your old glasses are likely causing dizziness due to the strain on your eyes as they try to compensate for an outdated prescription. Get an eye exam to update your prescription and address the underlying cause of your discomfort.
