Glasses are one of the most important medical innovations in human history. Glasses help correct vision by altering the way by which light hits the retina, correcting for errors in the alignment of the pupil and the cornea. Not only do glasses help people see today, but the invention of glasses also helped usher in the Age of the Renaissance, bringing Europe out of the dark ages by allowing scholars to read and revitalize ancient texts and the wisdom they contained. Today, glasses help hundreds of millions of people around the world read, drive and perform other important tasks. 

Unfortunately, glasses also come with their own drawbacks in addition to their significant advantages. Although the technology used for glasses has made great strides since they were first invented in Europe in the 13th century, glasses today can still cause some comfort-related issues due to either the lenses or the frames. Fortunately, by identifying these issues you can begin to look for solutions to address them in order to make the experience of wearing glasses even more enjoyable. Here are the top three issues that individuals commonly experience while wearing glasses.

Uncomfortable Frames

One of the most common complaints of people who have to wear glasses for most of the day is discomfort due to the frames of the glasses. Poorly constructed frames can result in glasses slipping and sliding along the bridge of the nose, causing annoyance and irritation. Additionally, other common sources of discomfort while wearing glasses include pain behind the ears, where the tips of the glasses rub against your skin, and irritation where the nose pad sits on the bridge of the nose. 

Fortunately, products such as eyeglass socks and eyeglass retainers can help alleviate these sources of discomfort by lessening the amount of physical content eyeglass frames have on your sensitive skin, making sure that you can wear glasses for as long as you want without having to deal with any pain. Eyeglass ear cushions can also help to prevent the tips of the glasses from rubbing against your skin. These products are inexpensive and can spare you a lot of discomfort and irritation in the long run.

Motion Sickness

Another common complaint that individuals who wear glasses often have is motion sickness, particularly when changing lenses. Motion sickness is sometimes just a natural part of the transitional period when changing glasses, but sustained motion sickness may mean that your prescription is wrong. Motion sickness due to eyeglasses may be stronger in individuals who are prone to motion sickness ordinarily, such as those who get motion sickness in the car. If your glasses continue to make you motion sick after a few days of wearing new prescription glasses, you should ask your eye doctor to ensure your prescription is correct or purchase a new pair of glasses.

Double Vision

Finally, some individuals who wear glasses may experience double vision when looking up and down after purchasing a new pair of glasses while their vision adjusts to the new prescription. Double vision may be uncomfortable, in some instances causing nausea. Fortunately, your eyes should adjust to the new prescription quickly, and the effect will go away over time. If the effect persists, contact your eye doctor for your next steps or a new prescription.