5 Signs Your Glasses Don't Fit Properly (And How to Fix Them)
Do you find yourself pushing your glasses up your nose twenty times a day? Perhaps you have a nagging pressure point behind your ear or a headache that strikes every afternoon.
After 40 years of fitting eyewear, here is the truth: properly fitted glasses should be so comfortable you forget you’re wearing them. If you are constantly aware of your frames, something is wrong.
The good news? Most fitting problems are easy to fix. Here are the five most common signs your glasses don’t fit properly and how to solve them.Why Proper Fitting Actually Matters
Before we dive into the specific problems, let's talk about why this matters.
Poorly fitted glasses affect more than just comfort:
Your vision quality suffers when glasses sit at the wrong angle or distance from your eyes. Even with the perfect prescription, if your frames aren't positioned correctly, you won't see as clearly as you should.
Your posture changes when you're constantly tilting your head to see through the right part of your lenses. This leads to neck and shoulder pain.
You're more likely to get headaches when your frames put pressure on the wrong spots or force your eyes to work harder than necessary.
You'll damage your frames faster with constant adjusting, bending, and repositioning.
And I found this to be true: uncomfortable glasses make you less likely to wear them, which defeats the entire purpose of having them.
Proper fitting isn't a luxury; it's essential for getting the full benefit from your eyewear investment.
Now, let's look at the specific signs that your glasses need attention.
Sign #1: Your Glasses Keep Sliding Down Your Nose
This is probably the most common complaint I hear: "My glasses won't stay up!"
What causes glasses to slide:
Nose pads positioned incorrectly: If the nose pads don't grip properly, your glasses have nothing to hold them in place.
Frames too wide for your face: When frames are wider than your face, they can't grip your temples properly and gravity pulls them down.
Nose pads worn out or damaged: Over time, nose pads compress, harden, or get dirty, reducing their grip.
Oily skin: Some people's skin is naturally more oily, making it harder for glasses to stay put.
Frame weight distribution: If the weight isn't balanced properly between the nose and ears, glasses tend to slide forward.
How to fix it:
Adjust the nose pads: Gently squeeze the nose pads closer together so they grip the sides of your nose better. Be careful—plastic frames can snap if you force them.
Tighten the temples: The arms of your glasses might need to be adjusted to hug your head more snugly behind your ears.
Replace worn nose pads: If your nose pads are old, flattened, or damaged, replacing them can make a huge difference. This is a simple, inexpensive fix.
Clean your glasses and face: Sometimes it's as simple as removing oil buildup. Clean your nose pads with rubbing alcohol and wash your face.
Try anti-slip accessories: Silicone ear grips or nose pad cushions can help, though proper adjustment is better than adding accessories.
Consider different frame materials: If you consistently have trouble with sliding glasses, frames with adjustable nose pads (usually metal frames) might work better than plastic frames with built-in nose rests.
When to see a professional: If you've tried these fixes and your glasses still slide, the frames might simply be the wrong size or shape for your face. An optician can assess whether adjustments will help or if you need different frames.
Sign #2: Pressure Points and Red Marks
Do you have indentations on the sides of your nose? Red marks behind your ears? Pain where your glasses rest?
These are clear signs your glasses don't fit properly.
What causes pressure points:
Nose pads too tight: When nose pads dig into the sides of your nose, they create painful pressure and leave marks.
Temples gripping too tightly: If the arms of your glasses squeeze your head, they'll cause discomfort and headaches.
Frames sitting at the wrong angle: When frames tilt incorrectly, all the weight presses on the wrong spots.
Heavy lenses without proper support: Strong prescriptions mean heavier lenses. If the frame isn't designed to distribute that weight properly, pressure builds up.
Frames too small for your face: Trying to squeeze into frames that are too narrow creates pressure everywhere.
How to fix it:
Widen the nose pads: Gently spread the nose pads apart slightly so they rest on your nose without pinching.
Adjust temple tension: The temples (arms) should rest gently on your ears, not grip tightly. A slight outward bend can relieve pressure.
Check the temple tips: The ends that curve around your ears should distribute weight comfortably. They might need to be adjusted or have padding added.
Balance the frame angle: Your frames should sit level on your face. If they tilt, adjust the nose pads or temple lengths to level them out.
Consider lighter materials: If you have a strong prescription, titanium frames or rimless styles can significantly reduce weight.
When to see a professional: Persistent pressure points usually mean your frames need professional adjustment. An optician has the tools and experience to make precise adjustments without damaging your frames.
Sign #3: Headaches When Wearing Your Glasses
Glasses should never give you headaches. If they do, something's wrong.
What causes glasses-related headaches:
Incorrect prescription: This is the first thing to rule out. If your prescription is wrong or outdated, your eyes strain to compensate, causing headaches.
Poor frame fit: Frames that sit at the wrong angle change how you look through your lenses, especially with progressive or bifocal lenses.
Temples too tight: Excessive pressure on your temples (the sides of your head) can trigger tension headaches.
Nose pad pressure: Pinching on certain nerve points on your nose can cause referred pain and headaches.
Weight distribution problems: Heavy glasses putting all their weight on your nose or ears can cause discomfort that radiates into headaches.
Pupillary distance (PD) off: If your lenses aren't centered properly for your eyes, your eye muscles work overtime, leading to headaches.
How to fix it:
Verify your prescription: Start here. Schedule an eye exam with your optometrist to make sure your prescription is current and correct.
Check your pupillary distance; If you ordered glasses online, your PD measurement might be off. An optician can measure this precisely.
Adjust temple pressure: Loosen the temples slightly to reduce pressure on the sides of your head.
Level your frames: Make sure your glasses sit level and at the correct angle on your face.
Take breaks: If you're new to glasses or a new prescription, your eyes might need time to adjust. Take them off for a few minutes every hour initially.
Reduce frame weight: Consider lighter frames or high-index lenses (thinner, lighter lenses for strong prescriptions).
When to see a professional: If adjusting your frames doesn't help, see your optometrist first to rule out prescription issues, then see an optician to assess the fit.
Sign #4: Glasses Sit Crooked on Your Face
When you look in the mirror, do your glasses tilt to one side? Does one lens sit higher than the other?
What causes crooked glasses:
Uneven temple lengths: If one arm is bent differently than the other, your glasses will sit crooked.
Facial asymmetry: Most people's faces aren't perfectly symmetrical. One ear might sit slightly higher than the other, which affects how glasses sit.
Bent frames: Accidentally sitting on your glasses or dropping them can bend the frame, making them crooked.
Nose pads at different angles: If one nose pad is adjusted differently than the other, your frames won't sit level.
How to fix it:
Adjust temple lengths: The temples might need to be bent at slightly different angles to accommodate your face shape.
Level the nose pads: Make sure both nose pads are adjusted symmetrically and gripping your nose evenly.
Straighten bent frames: Gently straighten any obvious bends in the frame, being careful not to snap plastic frames.
Check the screws: Loose screws can allow one side to shift. Tighten all screws with an eyeglass repair kit.
Professional adjustment for facial asymmetry: An experienced optician can make subtle adjustments to accommodate natural facial asymmetry, ensuring your glasses sit straight even if your face isn't perfectly symmetrical.
When to see a professional: If your glasses are significantly bent or if you can't get them to sit level after minor adjustments, see an optician. Trying to force a major adjustment yourself can break your frames.
Sign #5: Uncomfortable Ear Pressure or Pain
The ends of your glasses rest on or behind your ears. If this area hurts, your glasses aren't fitted properly.
What causes ear discomfort:
Temples too tight: When the arms squeeze behind your ears, they create pressure and pain.
Temple tips too short: If the curved part doesn't reach far enough, the straight part of the temple digs into your ear.
Wrong temple angle: The temples should curve down gently behind your ears, not stick straight back.
Heavy frames without proper support: All the weight concentrated on your ears causes pain and fatigue.
Temple tips too hard: Some temple tips are hard plastic, which is less comfortable than soft, flexible tips.
How to fix it:
Adjust the temple curve The arms should curve gently downward, starting just before your ear. Adjust this angle for comfort.
Add temple tip padding: Silicone or foam temple tip covers can provide extra cushioning.
Widen the temple spread: If the temples grip too tightly, gently bend them outward for a more relaxed fit.
Rebalance the weight: Adjust the nose pads to carry more weight, relieving pressure on your ears.
Replace hard temple tips: Many frames allow you to swap hard tips for softer, more comfortable ones.
When to see a professional: Persistent ear pain suggests your frames might not be the right style for your needs. An optician can recommend better options and make adjustments to improve comfort.
The Mobile Optician Advantage for Perfect Fitting
Here's something I've learned over four decades: proper fitting requires time, attention, and often multiple small adjustments.
That's hard to get in a busy optical store where staff is juggling multiple customers and there's pressure to move quickly.
This is where mobile optician service makes a real difference:
You Get Focused Attention
When I come to your home, you're my only client. I'm not rushing to help someone else. We take the time to get your fitting absolutely right.
Multiple Adjustments Are Easy
Fitting sometimes requires trying an adjustment, having you wear the glasses for a few minutes, then tweaking it further. In a store, this feels awkward. In your home, it's natural. Sit, try them on, walk around, look at your computer screen, then we adjust again.
Natural Environment Testing
You can test your glasses in the environment where you actually use them. Sit at your desk. Look at your TV. Check your phone. See how they feel during your normal activities.
No Pressure to "Hurry Up"
Proper fitting takes time. In your home, there's no line of people waiting, no closing time approaching. We work until your glasses feel perfect.
Family Can Give Honest Feedback
Your family sees you every day. They can spot if your glasses sit crooked or look uncomfortable, giving us valuable input for adjustments.
Follow-Up Is Simple
If an adjustment needs fine-tuning after you've worn the glasses for a few days, I can come back. You don't have to drive back to a store, find parking, and wait in line.
We Can Discuss Frame Options
If your current frames simply can't be adjusted to fit comfortably, we can discuss different frame styles that might work better for your face shape and needs—and I bring options with me.
How to Maintain Proper Fit Over Time
Even perfectly fitted glasses can develop problems over time. Here's how to maintain a good fit:
Handle your glasses properly: Always use both hands to put them on and take them off. This prevents uneven bending.
Store them in a case: Tossing glasses on a table or in a bag can bend the frames.
Regular cleaning prevents buildup: Clean nose pads and temple tips weekly to prevent dirt and oil from affecting fit.
Schedule adjustment check-ups: Even if your glasses feel fine, have them checked annually. Small shifts in fit can happen gradually.
Don't try major adjustments yourself: Minor tweaks are fine, but significant bending should be done by a professional with proper tools.
Replace worn parts promptly: Worn nose pads, loose screws, or damaged temple tips should be replaced before they affect fit.
When to Get New Frames
Sometimes, no amount of adjusting will make poorly-suited frames comfortable. Consider new frames if:
Your frames are damaged or significantly bent
You've had them for several years and they're worn out
Your face shape has changed (weight loss/gain, aging)
You simply chose the wrong size or style initially
The frame material isn't compatible with your lifestyle
Getting new frames is investing in your comfort and vision quality.
Get the Perfect Fit From the Start
The best way to avoid fitting problems? Start with frames that suit your face and a professional who takes the time to fit them properly.
True Vision Mobile Optical brings personalized fitting services to your home throughout the Fraser Valley.
Here's what proper fitting looks like:
During your consultation, I'll:
Help you choose frames that suit your face shape and size
Take precise measurements for your prescription
Adjust your new glasses for perfect fit before you ever wear them
Show you what properly fitted glasses should feel like
Provide ongoing adjustments as needed at no extra charge
Already have glasses that don't fit right?
I can assess your current frames and make adjustments to improve comfort. If adjustments won't solve the problem, I'll be honest about whether you need different frames.
Serving Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Mission, and throughout the Fraser Valley.
Contact True Vision Mobile Optical today to schedule your home fitting consultation. Because properly fitted glasses shouldn't be a luxury, they should be standard.
Your comfort matters. Let's get your glasses fitting the way they should.