Can Reading Glasses Cause Headaches & What To Do About It

Quick Navigation: Incorrect Prescription | Extended Use | Improper Fit | Adjustment Period | Inferior Lenses | How To Prevent Headaches | 20/20/20 Rule | Optical Quality Lenses

We get frequent questions from our loyal fan base and new customers who find us online and many of these require much more thought and care than can be provided in a simple FAQ page. To be as helpful to our customer as possible we are starting a new blog post series giving these questions the care and time they deserve. Hopefully this series allows our customers to make the most informed decision possible about buying reading glasses and making smart decisions about the eyes and vision in general.

One question we get from users who are new to wearing reading glasses are “Can reading glasses cause headaches?
This question is most often posed to us by visitors to our site who have never worn Visualites but have been buying cheaper reading glasses and are wondering if it is the quality of the glasses they are buying.

So, the short answer is Yes, reading glasses can sometimes cause headaches, especially if they are not the correct prescription strength for your eyes, if you wear them for extended periods or if you are wearing readers that do not have optical quality lenses. Here are a few reasons why reading glasses might cause headaches:

Incorrect Prescription:

If your reading glasses are not the correct strength for your eyes, it can strain your eyes and lead to headaches. Asthenopia, commonly known as eye strain, can occur when the eyes are overworked due to improper focusing, leading to headaches, eye discomfort, and sometimes even blurred vision. It’s essential to have your eyes checked regularly by an eye care professional to ensure you have the correct prescription.

Extended Use:

When you wear reading glasses for an extended period, especially if you’re focusing on close-up tasks like reading or using electronic devices, your eye muscles can become fatigued. According to Medical News Today, this strain on the eye muscles can lead to headaches.

Improper Fit:

If your reading glasses don’t fit properly or sit at the wrong angle on your face, it can cause discomfort and lead to headaches. There are a number of reasons for this from pressure points to distorted vision, so much so we will have a dedicated blog coming out soon on this topic.

Adjustment Period:

When you first start using reading glasses, your eyes may need time to adjust to them. During this adjustment period, you might experience headaches as your eyes adapt to the new prescription. This is especially the case for new users as the eyes have gotten used to reading a certain way and now have to accommodate to what is actually the correct vision.

Inferior Lenses:

Lower-quality lenses may have optical imperfections such as distortion, aberrations, or uneven surfaces. When you look through these lenses, your eyes may need to work harder to adjust to the distortions, leading to eye strain and headaches. This is why Visualites uses, optical quality lenses are often made from high-grade materials that are scratch-resistant, have more consistent magnification and higher durability, maintaining their optical performance over time. Optical quality lenses are manufactured to high standards, resulting in clearer and sharper vision with minimal distortion.

To prevent headaches from extended use of reading glasses, consider the following tips:

Take regular breaks:

Follow the 20-20-20 rule—every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Ensure proper lighting: Adequate lighting can reduce eye strain when reading or using electronic devices.
Check your prescription: If you experience frequent headaches while wearing reading glasses, consult with an eye care professional to ensure your prescription is correct.
Practice good posture: Maintain a comfortable reading position to prevent muscle tension headaches.

Only wear reading glasses with optical quality lenses

By wearing quality reading glasses that fit well, are the correct power and investing in optical quality lenses can lead to a better visual experience, reduced eye strain, and fewer headaches compared to inferior lenses. All of Visualites readers have optical quality lenses, click here to shop the Visualites 1 lightweight reading glasses and try for yourself.

If you experience persistent headaches while wearing reading glasses, it’s essential to consult with an eye care professional. They can determine if your prescription needs to be adjusted or if there are other underlying issues causing the headaches.