Need some advice about glasses

[Browny_37]

Hey all, i've not been around for a whilst...relocated, new job etc etc. In that time I've had to start wearing glasses.

For the first 3-4 days I didn't have any issues at all with them, given that my prescription isn't that strong. But to correct astigmatisms, I was expecting my eyes to adapt to the lenses and rid me of the double vision issues.

After 3-4 days i started suffering with pain around my ears as though I was getting ear ache and sometimes the nose pads irritated me, I had the glasses adjusted several times to no avail over a period of about a month.

I even had new frames and lenses and a different style of fitting, the wrap around glasses hurt more than the grip type...but both hurt in there own different ways.

One day I put the wrap over the ear glasses on, which seamed to trigger a muscle spasm from around the initial problem area's right down to my mid back. I seeked medical advice from my GP, which the first one reckoned it was ill fitment and advised me to go back to the opticians without checking me over.

A week later I'm still locked up from the back of my ears to my shoulder blades, I went back again this time seeing a different GP, which did give me a check over and prescribed me codine to ease the pain and if it didn't clear up then to go back and he would send me to a Physio Therapist.

It did die down for a week or two, i had a bit of a bump behind the troublesome ear which was sensitive to touch at first which hurt less as time went on. In the mean time i've taken my glasses back for a refund and had another eye test at a independent optician. And had a checkover at the dentist.

It has taken a while for my lenses to turn up for my new pair of glasses, meanwhile this week before getting my glasses back i've started with neck ache and strange sensation/aching behind the right ear again and down my neck.

Upon initially wearing the new glasses today, they felt better than the old pair had. But as the evening went on at work...the pain has started again, and ive now got a swelling around and above where the frame sits.

Im now starting to wonder if im allergic to the frames, considering this is my 4th pair now...surely it cant be the glasses...i dont have any rashes...just aching/pain/swelling.

I've tried sleeping in my old bed from my parents (health bed) which hasn't changed anything, different pillows etc etc. It just doesn't seem to help :(

Has anyone else had anything like this happen?

As im at a total loss and to be honest i've had enough of trying to sort things out.

[Volvomeg]

I've wore glasses since i was knee high to a grasshopper and only once ever had a problem and that was with lense postion in the glasses and one was slightly wrong and caused alsorts of problems

If its the lenses at fault then you usually get headaches and sore eyes not the pain you describe,

How long do you wear your glasses for, ie have you gone from nothing to wearing them all time as i would imagine its would be quiet difficult,

If you have never worn them before then i would advise stop wearing till everything clears up and then put them on a couple of hours a day and gradually increase it over a few months and see if things improve at all

[Browny_37]

I initially went from not wearing them to wearing them all the time, but the longer i owned them the less i was able to wear them due to pain.

I've not worn glasses now for about a month, i thought things were settling back down until monday/tuesday where the tight muscles started again (before new specs). I've got the new specs today, i was really apprehensive about wearing them. But i had to use them for work this evening as I was struggling at distance.

Managed about an hour at max until i started with the aching above and around my ear, if worn long enough i start to get a feeling as though ive got an ear infection.

[grr666]

I get this with a pair of wrap around sunglasses I like to

wear. After a few hours they feel like they are squeezing my head.

[Volvomeg]

How do the frames sit on your ears and how tight to your head do they fit as i've noticed alot of opticians tend to make them quiet tight fitting and can be abit uncomfortable even to me, i tend to end up just bending arms out a touch to make them a looser fit and the pair i have now just rest on my ears and sort of wrap round my head to hold them on if that makes sense altho the sides parts are quiet thick,

[Browny_37]

Hmm, wouldn't say they feel like there squeezing my head. I can slide them about my face pretty easily.

The bizarre thing for me is that they sort of hurt where they hook over the ear...but don't sit heavy. Its as though there sat on broken/raw skin (although its not broken), but they are causing my skin to swell above and where the frames sit on this new pair.

I really can't get my head around whats going off.

[nickguzzi]

I think, first of all I'd go back to the doctor and get checked over properly. They may find something. However under pressure of work they can be a bit dismissive of non-specific symptoms like you describe

I've have various forms of back pain for 40 odd years, triggered initially by an RTA. Years of wasting each others time lead me to the conclusion thay they don't know anything and are often quite un-sympathetic to people "claiming" to have back pain, yes treated like a sponger! Eventually a disc "slipped" because of the muscle spasm, being told I would have to spend 3 months lying flat on my back, immobile and using a baking tray as a toilet.

An osteopath had me able to walk again in 20 minutes, most of which was me trying to get up on to his collapsible table. I changed to a chiropractor who over the next 10 years or so sorted me to the sort of stable condition I have now, unfortunately he has retired, which is a shame as we used to talk about his 'Ring exploits during our consultations.

My experience is that GP's aren't always very good with backs, necks and associated hardware. The physio I was sent to at LRI was worse than useless, ie it hurt worse and I had less mobility afterwards. Various tablets were either potentially lethal painkillers which made matters worse or anti spasmodics which helped a little.

I was wondering if the glasses could be trapping something like the nerves to your mastoid muscles. They run from the back of your head and spiral down to the side of your neck, used for rotating your head. You could be a bit sensitive and extra pressure could be tipping you over the edge.

For quite a few years, I have used Vision Express The service I have received from the branch in Leicester has always been Ist class. Compared to some of the other national chains and local shops, they always seem to "go the extra mile" and not try to fob me off - "you'll get used to them" sort of rubbish. Other branches may vary of course.

One of the reasons for using Vision Express, was they had titanium frames at a reasonable price. They are alleged to be anti-allergic, certainly they are more comfortable to wear (and stronger!) than other materials. Not to mention noticeably lighter, which may also help.

Some opticians offer free trials of contact lenses, if the problem is down to frames pressing or rubbing whatever, then this be a direction to explore, at least as a diagnostic tool.

Hope you get sorted.

[GentleGiant]

I would guess ( as you say some of the pain started BEFORE you tried the latest set of glass's), that it is partially psychosomatic now; you may have had an allergy issue with the original set, but you are now psych'ing yourself out with every pair.

Are you saying that in your entire life you have never even worn SUNGLASSES??

If this is the case, there are ways to un-psych yourself, ie get two identical frames made up, one as prescription sunglasses and one as plain sunglasses; or even take an existing pair of sunglasses you wear and have prescription lenses added.

Re contacts, there are several different types (hard, soft and disposable), and many different formulations, so make sure you have a LONG talk with the Optician, and perhaps try several different sets. I went through 4 different formulations before finding one that didnt stick to my eye; even then I eventually went back to glasses. Dont get talked into buying an 18 month supply of lenses and solution, the bulk solutions are a rip-off, and you may find that after a few weeks you start to get a dry eye problem, and so need to try ANOTHER lens formulation.

[gadgetman]

My glasses were tight but after a few weeks became loose fitting. They were a bit uncomfortable.

One question I have is why are you wearing all the time for a small prescription? Surely should be driving, computer and reading only?

There is also a nerve running along your cheek and behind the ear. Trans m....... something or other which can give face, head and neck pain if manipulated in certain ways.

[gadgetman]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigeminal_neuralgia

[Browny_37]

I have worn sunglasses on and off over my life, but there not something I've made a massive habit of wearing.

I bought a set of polarised sunglasses for fishing...and have never had so much of a problem with them...after say 10 hours wearing them they could become a little uncomfortable after sitting on the ears for a whilst but i put that down to not being used to them. I've never had them give me this feeling though.

Since getting glasses though, wearing my sunglasses feels somewhat different to how they felt before. They used to sit rather comfortably, now they just feel odd. But i've gone away from wearing any of them down to the fact there leaving me feeling somewhat stressed/wound up/deflated.

So I can imagine there leaving me somewhat psyched about wearing them, I've tried sitting there and putting up with them.

I have noticed sometimes though that I can be sat there clenching my teeth together, although this isn't very often.

The new set have hardly been worn since Friday, but yet i still get a sensation of ear ache on the bottom side of my ears behind my ear lobes which varies in intensity.

As for a requirement of how much I should use them, initially I was told for concentration work by a high street chain, i.e work, driving, hobbies....now i work at computer screens all day. I don't do much driving any more to be fair, but at home I may take them off whilst watching TV, but my hobbies require me to see at distance quite a lot, be it model plane flying or fishing.

Whilst its been cold and I've worn any of my specs I don't really feel much pain or discomfort..as soon as I got in the car I would warm up I'd be in agonising pain, with ear ache both from behind and on top of my ears.

Going to the cinema's I've come out with one ear bright red and burning. It always seems somewhat bizarre what goes off...and I get the impression people think I'm making it up for the attention, Which is hardly the case to be honest.

Both opticians advised against contact lenses to be honest, as I'd still need a set of glasses for when I've worn the lenses as long as I could and the fact my prescription is only to correct astigmatisms.

[Jabozuma]

Never heard about thing like that, especially with remedies you already tried.

I have small negative astygmatic prescription glasses for distance viewing, yours sounds similar.

My guesses would be :

1. As mentioned before, your rims are not fitting you well. try superlight wire frames, not a "springy type" just very thin ones and with your lenses being light (what perscription have you got?) should alleviate any pressure points. Other thing try ones which just "clip to your nose" to see it it helps. You mights have "an exposed nerve" where some neural pathways location in relation to muscles and other tissue make them extremely vulnerable to pressure. Try consulting accupressure specialist or acupuncture pratitioner - NHS pays for the latter.

2. As with astigmatism your eyes do adjust while wearing glasses, this may be causing muscles/groups of muscles to contract/adjust in a way different to usual upsetting your normal stance, neck and head positioning resulting in pressure on some neural pathways. I for example cannot walk properly with my glasses as I trip up all the time - not able to judge the distance properly when part of my field of vision is through glasses (upper) and the lower one is not through glasses. Poor old brain gets confused .

3. There is pre-existing condition you are not aware of and wearing glasses brought it to the fore.

4. I do not think it is to do with allergic background as this would cause skin problems and pains etc.

5. Psychosomatic background reaction is a possibility but you'd not be able to get it the instant you started wearing your frames. Only happens when negative stimuli is clearly associated with an action (like wearing frames) and needs some time to establish itself.

6. Contact lenses. I'd at least try them on. Disposable ones come in different types, are cost effective for such a purpose and you may find out that this has cured your problems pinpointing the cause to the frames.

Let us know how it went.

[CFB]

I'm liking the contact lenses route.

That is, if you can get used to sticking your fingers in your eyes every day.

I've never been able to so wear glasses. Now progressed to varifocals.

Jabozuma, point 2, oh yeah. It took me a couple of months to get used to walking out and about with the latest prescription.

Got used to them now but I lost count of the number of times I nearly fell down steps to start with.

[Jabozuma]

I'm liking the contact lenses route.

That is, if you can get used to sticking your fingers in your eyes every day.

I've never been able to so wear glasses. Now progressed to varifocals.

Jabozuma, point 2, oh yeah. It took me a couple of months to get used to walking out and about with the latest prescription.

Got used to them now but I lost count of the number of times I nearly fell down steps to start with.

Ha ha, I just try not to wear them but then I can see nothing and it becomes embarasing! People think I am rude when I do not wave bakc to that colourful blob in the distance making funny movements, which turns out to be somebody you met at a party and had a good chat with LOL. I also foound myself walking like a stork, lifting my feet much higher than really needed - just waiting for a pasing by plod to stop me a ask me to do a sobriety test

[GentleGiant]

If your eyesight is that bad, you should NOT be driving without either glasses or contacts; if you have an accident, not only will you get done for not wearing anything, but it will almost certainly invalidate your insurance.

[Browny_37]

I made a habit of forcing myself to wear them at work today. And I'm now paying the price for it. Backache, spasms of earache, my right gland in my throat has randomly swollen again, also have random bouts of tooth ache in my bottom wisdom teeth...sensitive to loud sharp noises (more than usual). I do have to admit the wisdom tooth on the opposite side to the painful ear is partially impacted under the tooth in front...but doesn't leave me with any discomfort what so ever. Physical pain apart from where the glasses tuck over my ear the pain tends to be around the areas where the glasses sit...but not right against them.

I only have a weak negative prescription like yourself, the left eye being worse than the right...with glasses I see near enough perfect out of the right lens.

I can see quite far into the distance and make things out, its just the finer details my eyes cant focus on properly at distance.

I really do hope I get it sorted and I can wear them for a prolonged periods...as i don't think my eyes are having a chance to adjust to them.

With them on I still get quite a bit of blurriness from the left eye. I did have trauma to my left eye a few years since in a work related incident...although it was only a metal splinter.

My left eye is the dominant eye, so I get the worst of it atm and can be a little disorientating at times. Especially with them off, it feels similar to welders flash where your left with a glared feeling. Earlier on i could look up away from the screen at work and look down through the lenses and the repeat of the line i could see would get further away...looking down but up through the lenses made it sharper, as well as moving the lenses further away from my eyes made things seem sharper.

I've been getting worked up over them, and a few other things in the past couple of months. Which I don't think has helped either....did think is was stress, is it the fact I have to lean into an immersion tank to turn components over for inspection. Could all be contributions, but the vast amount of discomfort is after wearing the glasses for 2, 3 or 4 hours...thats all i managed today before i had to take them off down to the pain in my right ear.

Going to make and appointment for the doctors tomorrow and encourage them to get this sorted out.

[Jabozuma]

If your eyesight is that bad, you should NOT be driving without either glasses or contacts; if you have an accident, not only will you get done for not wearing anything, but it will almost certainly invalidate your insurance.

It's -0.5 one eye and -1.2 the other - not too bad. I always drive with my glasses. Used to need them only night time but now I feel better wearing them daytime as well.

As for OP's problem, to me is 100% neurological and either caused by your eyes (muscle strain due adjustment pressurising neural pathways) or due to frames applying pressure on a nerve/nerve cluster. As a makeshift test destroy one set of glasses by ripping out the bits which go behind ears so you end up with lenses in frames only. Than tape it to your head. If this still causes all the symptoms then you will know it is to do with your lenses causing your eyes to strain etc. if it cures it then you know your frames sitting behind your ears were causing you a problem.

I always believed in self help .

The above works if you have a spare pair and you are willing to destroy it of course. Obviously do it at your own risk .

[moley]

I have been wearing glasses for about 4 years, previously only reading glasses for about 10 years. in the last year or so I have moved onto varifocals. I have never experienced any of the issues you have described. When vision express made out the prescription for the varifocals they screwed up and I could tell something was wrong, but apart from not being able to see clearly they didn't give any other side effects.

With such a small correction in the lenses I would be surprised if this had any great effect to cause so many problems. Glasses are not heavy items and I am not really aware that I'm wearing them.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but do you resent having to wear glasses and psychologically you are 'rejecting' them?

[Browny_37]

I have been wearing glasses for about 4 years, previously only reading glasses for about 10 years. in the last year or so I have moved onto varifocals. I have never experienced any of the issues you have described. When vision express made out the prescription for the varifocals they screwed up and I could tell something was wrong, but apart from not being able to see clearly they didn't give any other side effects.

With such a small correction in the lenses I would be surprised if this had any great effect to cause so many problems. Glasses are not heavy items and I am not really aware that I'm wearing them.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but do you resent having to wear glasses and psychologically you are 'rejecting' them?

Not at all, I'm not bothered about having to wear them at the end of the day. I wore them for 4-5 days continuous (Pain Free) before any problems arose.

They are supposed to make my life easier, and good vision is a requirement of my job.

If I was to be rejecting them in that manner.. why would I take the glasses back to the high street chain and go get another set elsewhere? Which have cost me more money for one pair. Maybe I just like to be tortured and I don't know it yet

Although I really wish I didn't have the problems you haven't experienced...as my life would be a damn sight (excuse the pun) better at this moment in time.

On a update, the doctor believes that its down to how the frames are sitting on a nerve.....which in turn is causing my nerve system to go haywire.

He looked over how the frames sat on my face and sides of my head and agree'd they wasn't putting any unnecessary pressure on the sides of my head, ears or my nose.

He's told me to dose up to using ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time for the times to wear the glasses at work/driving and use the codine at home. And go back to the practice in two weeks if the pain/tension in my neck hasn't gone.

He would then refer me to a physio therapist to see if they could ease the tension/pain in my neck, which I cant see helping/solving the problem if its still present by then.

All in all I think I'm scuppered as he had this look of uncertainty/wtf on his face when I was describing things.

The pain hasn't been as bad today with them on at work, a little uncomfortable and a few episodes of blinding pain. Upon getting home and supposedly relaxing....low and behold my neck has started to lock again to the point where I can hear the muscles/bones in my neck graunching/squelching or whatever there doing as I try to turn it.

As for ripping a set of glasses apart. I don't have a spare set as this is the first time I've had to wear glasses. Although I've been tempted to destroy them in times of frustration/pain.

[Jabozuma]

I think what needs to be done is a proper diagnosis. What I described could go towards is in a process of elimination. I do not know how do you go about it since you do not have a pair to waste... :(.To me it is between pressure caused be frames and your eyeballs adjusting to the lenses causing neural pathway pressure internally. Maybe instad of wrecking a pair of glasses put them on with frames sitting much higher on your head or much lower and tape them there to see it it works? I know it sounds like trying too hard but you seem to be in a really bad place right now. I know how it feels as I suffer from a rare kind of headaches. When it kicks in I am really capable of ANYTHING to make it stop, including making holes in masonry with my bare fists...

[Browny_37]

I neglected to mention if i sit them above the ears on the side of the head they are a little more manageable, probably get a little discomfort due to the areas around them being upset.

[GentleGiant]

ré "ripping apart"

You dont need to do any permanent damage to the glasses, the arms are held in place with a set of tiny screws; just (carefully), undo the screws until they drop out, and the arms should detach. You will need a jewellers screw driver, but a cheap set from my local hardware store costs £1.99p.

Also, I KNOW it will look stupid, but consider replacing the arms with a wide band of elastic - to spread the pressure more evenly across a wider area above your ears. (Cut and stitch a loop that uses the screw holes).

I DO believe you have a genuine problem, but I ALSO believe that the "flinch factor" of expecting pain now makes it worse.

[@Lee]

re the you should NOT be driving comment. An eyesight test pass for the licence is reading a standard UK number plate from 20 meters.

[Easy-Pd]

I know its been a while, but did it get fixed? Sounds like a fitting issue. There is a very sensitive part just at the top of the ear. If the specs are fitted wrongly, it will hurt like hell, will go red to the point it looks like blood will be drawn soon and be a huge cause of discomfort. I have seen people if the specs do not fit well here who experience facial and neck pain.

Take the specs off and put them open on a desk. look from above. Do the bits that go behind your ears go straight down? if so, it is likely wrong, they need to be angled in as well by about 10 degrees. Ie: from the top of your ear down to the end of the tip. if you feel behind your ear, it does not go straight down, but down and inwards. If the specs do not match this it will at best cause intense pain if worn for a while:

Hope this helps you. Ask to see a dispensing optician and not the assistant. They speciallise in frame fitting and facial measurements.

[KenONeill]

There's another possible issue with the distance back from the bridge of your nose to the tops of your ears as well. If that's too long relative to the frame legs, the hooks will sit differently on your ears.

Also, the hinge points are mostly the same, so if your sunglasses have longer legs than the prescriptions do, you may be able to swap the legs about and see if that makes a difference.