Why Do My Glasses Give Me a Headache? [3 Reasons Why]

Baptist Eye Surgeons • February 2, 2022

If you’ve ever wondered why it seems like your glasses always give you a headache then you’re not alone. Many people have experienced this problem, and it can have different causes. Fortunately, your eye doctor can help narrow down the cause and have you seeing comfortably again. 

A woman is sitting in front of a laptop computer holding her glasses.

The reasons why your glasses may be giving you a headache can vary. Some people connect it to blue light from digital screens, but the problem here is actually digital eye strain. You can fix this by following the 20-20-20 rule. You may also experience headaches due to new glasses or an improper fit.

Why Do My Glasses Give Me a Headache?

You can experience headaches related to vision and glasses for a number of reasons. This can include digital eye strain, getting a new pair of prescription glasses, or your glasses not fitting correctly. Talk to your eye doctor if you experience headaches over a prolonged period of time to see if they’re related to your glasses.

1. Digital Eye Strain

Many people are becoming concerned about how much time they spend looking at digital screens, and for good reason. Smartphones and tablets have made digital screens nearly inescapable, not to mention the computers we use at work. This has led many people to question if the blue light from those screens is bad for their vision.

Fortunately, the blue light emitted by our digital devices isn’t dangerous for our eye health. In fact, your eyes are subjected to more blue light at your average retail store. This is because recent iPhones only produce about 625 candelas per square meter while retail stores produce around twice as much. For more context, the sun produces 10 times as much as an iPhone.

The real problem with digital devices is digital eye strain. Whether you wear glasses or not, people tend to blink less when looking at digital screens, which can make your eyes feel:

  • Dry
  • Itchy
  • Red
  • Watery

Along with headaches, you may also experience blurry vision, double vision, as well as shoulder and neck pain. 

You can fight headaches and other symptoms of digital eye strain in multiple ways. One of the most popular tricks is known as the 20-20-20 rule . It’s quite simple. All you need to do is:

  1. Every 20 minutes
  2. Look at something 20 feet away
  3. For 20 seconds

This ensures that your eyes get a break from the computer or anything else that may require your attention. It gives them the opportunity to relax, refocus, and regain their moisture through blinking. You can also take steps to cut down on glare from your devices, such as anti-glare screens and better lighting choices. 

Click here for more tips on fighting digital eye strain!

2. New Glasses

A man in a suit and tie is sitting at a desk with a laptop.

New glasses require your eyes to learn how to work in a new way. Whether you’ve never worn glasses before or you had a different prescription, your eyes have learned how to compensate for poor vision. Now that you wear glasses or have new prescription lenses, your eyes have to learn how to compensate in a new way. This can put a strain on your eye muscles and cause headaches.

As Dr. Brieann Adair of NYU Langone Health explains, “I would liken it to carrying a backpack that’s really heavy. Sometimes you don’t even notice that you’re straining [and] your muscles are really tight. Then once you remove that backpack, it feels weird to get back into that relaxed posture.”

It’s important to know that this adjustment period will pass. Some people actually give up and never give themselves time to adjust, which isn’t going to help with headaches. Instead, it can help to ease into your new glasses. Dr. Adair recommends wearing new glasses for three to four hours and then taking a break for a couple of days. This gives your eyes plenty of time to adapt.

For signs that it’s time to schedule a comprehensive eye exam, click here !

3. Incorrect Fit

Sometimes you may experience headaches due to the fit of your frames. This can happen for a number of reasons, including :

  • Sliding down your nose
  • Being loose around your ears
  • Pinching the bridge of your nose
  • Being too tight around your temples
  • Incorrect pupil distance measurements

If you find your glasses sliding down your nose then you may have a low nose bridge. You can fix this by adjusting the nose pads, or by choosing horn-rimmed or rectangular frames. Looseness around your ears can be fixed by having them adjusted by an eye care professional. You can also opt for a smaller pair of glasses that fit your face better.

Glasses that pinch the bridge of your nose indicate that your nose pads aren’t set correctly. Ask your eye doctor to adjust them to the correct position or ask about using a different material for the nose pads, such as acetate or silicone. You should also consider lighter frames with a wider bridge so they stay in place and fit more comfortably. 

If your glasses leave marks around your cheeks then they are too tight around your temples or ears. This can be fixed by having your eye doctor adjust the temple arms. However, you may need to buy a new pair if you continue to experience headaches and discomfort. 

Eye strain can also be caused by incorrect pupil distance (PD) measurements . This is the distance between your pupils and it can be just as important for fit and comfort. This is why it’s so important to have a professional make the measurements. You can come to our optical shop in Morristown to be fitted by Dr. Tilley.  

Is it time for your regular comprehensive eye exam? Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

You can experience headaches from your glasses for a variety of reasons. While some may think it’s from blue light, this is actually due to digital eye strain. It’s also possible to get headaches from wearing glasses if they’re new or don’t fit correctly. Your eye doctor can help you correct these problems so you never wonder “why do my glasses give me a headache” ever again.

Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, and Morristown, TN. Give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment .

What to Expect During Your First Eye Exam: A Step-by-Step Guide

September 22, 2026
A thorough eye exam is an important part of keeping your vision healthy and protecting your eyes. If you are arranging for your first eye examination as an adult, if you are taking a child in for an evaluation, or if you have noticed any changes in your vision, knowing what to expect can help make the experience more comfortable. The eye exams carried out at Baptist Eye Surgeons not only check your vision but also look at your general eye health and spot any possible problems that might call for further investigation. What is the Importance of Eye Examinations? An eye examination does not merely enable one to find out if glasses or contact lenses are required. It lets an eye care professional assess how well your eyes are working and spot the signs of common eye conditions.  Some eye conditions can progress slowly without symptoms. Regular eye checkups can help detect changes earlier and make sure you receive appropriate treatment when needed. Step by step: The Process Involved in Having an Eye Examination Even though the different appointments may vary according to your particular needs, a typical full eye examination will involve a number of significant steps. 1. An Examination of Your Medical & Eye History Your appointment may start with questions about your vision, medical history, medications, any previous eye conditions, and your family history of eye disease. Be sure to report any changes in your vision, eye discomfort, headaches, or other concerns you have noticed. Your eye care professional may also ask about the glasses or contact lenses you currently use and how well they work for you. 2. Checking Your Vision A well-known part of an eye examination is the visual acuity test. You might be asked to read some letters or symbols from a chart at a set distance. This lets doctors assess how clearly you can see and decide whether corrective lenses would help. Further testing could assess your ability to see up close and the way well your eyes work together. 3. The Measurement of Eye Health & Function Your eye care professional might carry out a number of tests in order to assess the health and functioning of your eyes. The tests involved may vary depending on your age, symptoms, and risk factors and could include measuring eye pressure, examining eye movement and coordination, and looking at the structures at the front and back of the eye. They can help spot possible signs of eye disorders. 4. Discussing Your Results Your ophthalmologist will review the results with you after the examination. If your vision has changed, they may suggest new prescription lenses. If they spot an eye condition or another issue, they could recommend further testing, further monitoring, or treatment. It is also a good chance to ask questions regarding your eye health and the recommended follow-up care. What Should You do to Get Ready for your First Eye Examination? Having an eye examination usually involves nothing complicated. It is a good idea to take with you your present glasses or contact lens details and to be ready to give a list of any medications as well as any applicable medical or family history. Additionally, it might be helpful to remember any vision changes or symptoms you have had. Dilation may occur during the examination if certain tests are performed. After dilation has been advised, your vision might be temporarily blurred or more sensitive to light. Supporting Healthy Vision The initial eye examination is a valuable chance to determine a baseline for your eye health and understand your specific vision needs. Regular eye exams help monitor changes over time and support early detection of possible eye conditions. Plan a visit with an eye care professional if you have discovered any changes in your vision or if you're due for a check-up.

Children’s Vision Milestones: What Parents Should Watch For

August 28, 2026
Healthy vision is essential for a child's development, learning, and daily activities. From recognizing faces in infancy to reading, participating in sports, and navigating school, children depend on their eyesight to interpret and relate to their environment. Knowing typical vision milestones helps parents spot possible issues and seek appropriate care when needed. How Does Vision Develop in Children? Vision develops rapidly during the first years of life. Newborns perceive light, shapes, and nearby objects, although their vision remains immature. As children mature, their capacity to focus, track moving objects, recognize details, and coordinate both eyes improves progressively. Due to the gradual nature of visual development, regular eye examinations are essential. Certain childhood vision problems may not be readily apparent, especially when one eye is stronger than the other. Although each child develops at an individual pace, several general vision milestones may guide parental observation. 1. Infants: Birth to 12 Months Within the first year, infants typically develop the ability to focus on faces and objects, visually track moving items, and reach for objects they observe. Caregivers may also observe infants responding to known faces and visually exploring their environment. If an infant does not track objects, exhibits eyes that frequently cross or wander, or fails to respond visually to people or objects, these concerns should be discussed with a pediatrician or eye care professional. 2. Toddlers: Ages 1 to 3 As children become more active, their visual skills continue to develop. Toddlers rely on vision to walk, climb, manipulate small objects, and interact with toys. Over time, they typically improve in identifying familiar people and objects and in coordinating eye and hand movements. Frequent eye rubbing, squinting, sitting close to screens, or difficulty seeing objects could indicate the need for an eye exam. 3. Preschool and School-Age Children By preschool and early elementary school, children utilize vision for detailed activities including coloring, drawing, letter recognition, reading, and participating in games. Effective eye coordination and focusing abilities support learning and classroom performance. Children may not always realize their vision differs from other children’s, so parents should watch for signs such as headaches, avoiding reading, losing their place while reading, holding books unusually close, or struggling to see the board. Signs of Possible Vision Problems Caregivers should monitor for changes in a child's vision or behavior. Potential warning signs include: Frequent squinting or eye rubbing Eyes that cross, wander, or do not move together Complaints of blurry or double vision Frequent headaches Difficulty reading or concentrating Sitting very close to a television or screen Tilting or turning the head to see Covering or closing one eye Difficulty recognizing objects or seeing at a distance Avoiding activities that require close or distance vision If you notice these signs, speak with a pediatrician or eye care professional. The Importance of Children’s Eye Exams Regular eye examinations can identify vision problems before they interfere with learning and development. Eye care professionals assess visual acuity, binocular coordination, and common childhood eye conditions. Early detection matters because some vision problems are easier to address when identified in childhood. Parents must follow their child’s healthcare provider's recommendations for vision screenings and comprehensive eye exams. Helping Protect Your Child’s Vision Caregivers can promote healthy vision by encouraging beneficial habits. These include spending time outdoors, taking regular screen breaks, using appropriate protective eyewear during activities, maintaining a balanced diet, and attending recommended pediatric and eye care appointments. Supporting Healthy Vision at Every Age Knowing children's vision milestones helps caregivers distinguish typical development and spot possible issues early. Throughout infancy and the school years, monitoring how a child sees, focuses, and interacts with their environment is vital for supporting healthy development.  If you notice concerns about a child's eyesight or alterations in vision, consult a healthcare provider or eye care professional. Early attention to vision supports learning, development, confidence, and overall quality of life.

The Connection Between Diabetes and Eye Health

July 29, 2026
Diabetes affects various parts of the body, including your eyes. Keeping your blood sugar under control is not just good for your health overall, but it also helps protect your eyesight. Over time, high blood sugar can irritate the tiny blood vessels in your eyes and increase your risk of serious eye problems. Knowing how diabetes and eye health are linked can help you identify issues and take measures to protect your sight. How Does Diabetes Affect Eye Health? When blood sugar stays high, it can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the part of your eye that senses light and helps you see. Damaged blood vessels might leak fluid, swell, or change how well the retina works. Diabetic eye problems usually develop slowly, so you might not pick up on any changes in your vision until significant damage has occurred. That’s why it’s important for people with diabetes to get regular eye exams, even if their eyesight seems fine. Common Eye Conditions Linked to Diabetes People with diabetes are more likely to have certain eye problems. Finding and treating these issues early can lower the chance of losing vision permanently. 1. Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye issue that happens when high blood sugar damages the retinal blood vessels. These damaged vessels may leak fluid, which may cause blurry vision, dark spots, or changes in how you see. In advanced cases, abnormal blood vessel growth can lead to serious problems. If diabetic retinopathy worsens, new abnormal blood vessels can grow, causing serious problems, including vision loss. Getting regular eye exams can help catch these changes early, before they become severe. When fluid is retained in the macula (part of the retina which focuses on sharp central vision), this swelling can make it harder to read, recognize faces, or see fine details clearly. When detected early, treatments can help reduce swelling and protect your eyesight. 3. Cataracts People with diabetes have a higher chance of getting cataracts early. Cataracts occur when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy, which can cause blurry vision, increased sensitivity to glare, and difficulty seeing clearly. While cataracts come with age, having diabetes can make them appear sooner or progress quicker. 4. Glaucoma Diabetes can also raise your risk for glaucoma, which is a group of eye diseases that harm the optic nerve. Glaucoma usually starts without any clear symptoms, but if it is not treated, it can cause permanent vision loss. Routine regular eye exams are important for finding glaucoma early and keeping your eyes healthy Diabetes-related eye problems might not cause symptoms at first. Still, there are some warning signs you should look out for: • Blurry or distorted vision • Difficulty focusing • Dark spots, floaters, or shadows in your sight • Increased sensitivity to glare • Trouble seeing colors clearly • Sudden alterations in vision • Partial or complete loss of vision If you notice sudden vision changes, contact an eye doctor as soon as possible. The Value of Regular Eye Exams for People With Diabetes Getting a full eye exam is one of the best ways to protect your vision if you have diabetes. During the examination, your physician will study your retina, look for symptoms of diabetic eye disease, and track any changes over time. Many eye problems linked to diabetes can be treated more easily if they are found early. Regular checkups help your eye doctor give you advice that fits your own eye health and diabetes care. Protecting Your Eyes When You Have Diabetes Looking after your general health is important for keeping your eyes healthy. Here are some things you can do to protect your vision: • Keeping blood sugar levels under control • Managing blood pressure and cholesterol • Scheduling regular diabetic eye exams • Following your diabetes treatment plan • Eating a balanced diet that promotes eye health • Avoiding smoking, which increases the risk of eye complications Prioritizing Your Vision and Eye Health Diabetes and eye health are closely linked, but you can lower your risk of serious vision problems by taking action early. Getting regular eye exams, making healthy choices, and managing your diabetes all help protect your eyesight. If you have diabetes, seeing your eye doctor regularly can help catch changes early and keep your vision clear for the future. Your eyes are a key part of your health, so make caring for them a priority at every age.