Is this common?

I got glasses yesterday. I didn't wear glasses previously. They've helped my vision enormously. The optician warned me they might need some getting used-to, but I don't think she mentioned anything about depth perception (or did she? I was distracted whilst playing with my new glasses).

I find that my orientation with the ground is quite shot. I'm tripping over curves in the pavement, and almost lost my balance running down the steps this morning. Everything, including myself, seems shorter. I feel that I am closer to the ground, and everybody around me seems almost miniature.

I thought I was really losing it this morning when I saw a pair of dwarflings in a bus queue, but when I ripped away my spectacles, it turned out they really were simply very small, elderly folk.

Is this issue with height perception common, or should I return to the optician?

Jasper_

Never heard of anything like that.

It does take some getting used to when you get new glasses, especially for the first time, as your eyes have to adapt to the new world they are trying to interpret for you. But I have never experienced or heard of anything like you detailed.

So no harm swinging by your optician to ask whats up.

KingBrian2

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

I got glasses yesterday. I didn't wear glasses previously. They've helped my vision enormously. The optician warned me they might need some getting used-to, but I don't think she mentioned anything about depth perception (or did she? I was distracted whilst playing with my new glasses).

I find that my orientation with the ground is quite shot. I'm tripping over curves in the pavement, and almost lost my balance running down the steps this morning. Everything, including myself, seems shorter. I feel that I am closer to the ground, and everybody around me seems almost miniature.

I thought I was really losing it this morning when I saw a pair of dwarflings in a bus queue, but when I ripped away my spectacles, it turned out they really were simply very small, elderly folk.

Is this issue with height perception common, or should I return to the optician?

Yeah experienced those sensations when I was breaking in new glasses. Be very careful when out in public because it can be disorientating. If you continue to have problems go back to the Opticians and ask them to fix the lens. You may need a new lens to match your vision.

Opinicus

I think that when your wearing glasses for the first time this should be expected to a degree. I find when updating my prescription that I can see small but noticeable differences in depth perception. It just takes my brain a few days to adjust. If you're myopic (shortsighted) your lenses tend to make everything appear slightly smaller, the opposite is true for hyperopia. The degree to which this occurs depends on your prescription.

miamee

When I first started to wear glasses, I had the same feelings for a few days as far as I can remember (20 years ago now) and even when getting a new prescription now I'd get it to a lesser degree. I'd kinda feel like the ground was ruishing up to meet me because it was so 'close' i.e. I could actually see things on the ground where I couldn't see anything before. You're used to seeing things in a certain way, improved vision messes with your head a bit but you will adjust. Obviously if it continues for longer than a couple of days, I'd give the optician a call.

Opinicus

Opinicus wrote: »

If you're myopic (shortsighted) your lenses tend to make everything appear slightly smaller, the opposite is true for hyperopia.

Yes I'm myopic in both eyes with astigmatism, my prescription indicates combined defects of -1.5 and -2.5 in my right and left eyes respectively.

The visual trick is still persisting but I'll give it a few more days and see if it improves. Thanks for the responses guys.

MrWalsh

Yeah a milder version happened me too - it stopped after a few days.