Why Do Sunglasses Give Me a Headache?

Whether you’re driving or skiing, sunbathing or working, sunglasses are worn by millions of people around the world. Their ability to reduce glare, enhance your vision, prevent headaches and protect you from long-term eye damage are well known, and most people who regularly wear sunglasses don’t experience any negative impacts at all. However, some people report that wearing sunglasses can cause headaches.

From ill-fitting frames to low-quality lenses and poor light sensitivity, there can be many reasons why wearing your shades might cause you problems. So, if you find yourself asking “Why do sunglasses give me a headache?” then we’re here to help. In this guide, we’re going to examine the links between migraines or headaches and wearing sunglasses, and what you can do to find the right pair of sunnies to help alleviate the symptoms.

Understanding the Link Between Sunglasses and Headaches

If your sunglasses are giving you headaches, then it’s almost certainly down to one of a few things. Bright light and glare can be a headache trigger for many people, and wearing well-suited sunglasses can help reduce the eye strain that results. Therefore, high-quality sunglasses that are right for you can help to relieve headaches. If that’s not the case though, we need to understand why.

Symptoms of Wearing Incorrect Prescription Sunglasses

One of the most common reasons why people report that their sunglasses give them a headache is that they are wearing incorrect prescription sunglasses. Their eyes may have changed and therefore the prescription is outdated, or it may have been incorrect to begin with. As with regular glasses, the symptoms of an incorrect prescription include:

• Blurry vision. Arguably the easiest to detect, if you notice that your vision is blurry and you’re having trouble focusing, it could be down to an incorrect prescription.
• Squinting. Like blurry vision, if you’re squinting regularly, it could suggest your eyes struggle to see clearly.
• Light sensitivity. If bright lights are uncomfortable, even through your sunglasses, then, you may need a new prescription.
• Double vision. Like blurry vision, this should be easy to detect and is another symptom of an incorrect prescription.
• Eye strain. The symptoms of eye strain include tired, sore and itchy eyes, brought on as a result of trying to see through the wrong lenses.
• Dizziness, vertigo and headaches. If your prescription is significantly wrong then you may experience dizziness and vertigo, which can also lead to headaches.

If you’re not experiencing any of the above, then there may be other reasons why your shades are giving you a headache. Another common culprit is poorly fitted frames.

Fit Problems and How They Cause Discomfort

The frames of the sunglasses are the only pieces that make direct contact with your head. Frames that are too tight, too loose, or don’t have the correct weight distribution may lead to headaches, especially when worn for long periods. Some common reasons that ill-fitting sunglasses can cause problems include:

• Pressure & pain. If the frames are too small or too heavy, they can cause pinch points on your temples and the bridge of your nose. Over time, this can lead to discomfort and potentially headaches.
• Slipping, sliding or falling off. Often a result of poor weight distribution as well as fit, glasses that move around too much on your head can not only cause discomfort but may also mean that you’re looking through the lenses at the wrong angle. This is especially problematic if you have prescription sunglasses.
• Feel. Ill-fitting sunglasses might just ‘feel’ wrong. If that’s the case, you may be much more conscious of them on your head which can lead to discomfort.

If your sunglasses have any adjustable features, like arms that can be bent into shape, or nose pads that can be moved around, we recommend experimenting with the fit to see if this helps solve your headaches. When buying a new pair, make sure they have some adjustability to tailor them to your spec.

The Impact of Damaged or Low-Quality Lenses

Finally, the last main culprit of wearing sunglasses that can cause headaches is if the lenses themselves are damaged or of poor quality. High-quality, well-fitting sunglasses should be unnoticeable and you should completely forget that you’re wearing them.

Poor-quality lenses may let in too much or not enough light which can cause eye strain. They may also not have adequate amounts of UV protection, allowing the sun’s harmful rays to reach your eyes. Meanwhile, damaged lenses, such as those that are warped, cracked or scratched can strain the eyes and eventually lead to you developing a headache or migraine.

It may be the case that your frames and the prescription are both fine, you simply need to fit new, high-quality lenses that will give your shades a new lease of life. We find that many of our customers report much better experiences with their sunglasses after they’ve done so.

How the Right Sunglasses Can Help with Headaches

We’ve seen how poorly fitting and low-quality sunglasses can cause a whole host of problems, but what about the other end of the scale? Can sunglasses help with headaches?

The short answer is yes! Well-made and properly fitted shades can help ease the strain on your eyes, prevent long-term damage and reduce headaches. So what do the best sunglasses to prevent headaches have in common? Let’s take a look.

The Role of Polarization and Lens Quality

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of high-quality lenses in sunglasses. The best sunglasses lenses often score highly on all the following characteristics:

Selecting the Best Sunglasses for Headache Prevention

Choosing the best sunglasses to prevent headaches need not be difficult. We’ve outlined all the factors you should be looking for (and what to avoid!) above. However, here are some tips for choosing your next perfect set of shades.

• 100% UV Protection. Buying sunglasses with UV protection is a must if you want to avoid eye strain, headaches and other issues in the long-term. Check the product description and features to ensure this is the case. All of our lenses come with guaranteed 100% UV block-out as standard and will protect your eyes anywhere on the planet.
• Opt for premium materials. Although more expensive up front, cheap lenses are a false economy. The best sunglasses comply with American, Australian and European safety standards, while those made from Polyamide and Polycarbonate offer the best combination of clarity and durability.
• Choose customisable frames. Sunglasses frames that can be tailored and customised to your needs will offer the best combination of comfort and fit. What’s more, higher quality frames will often last longer, meaning you can just change the lenses should they get damaged or your prescription changes.

When to Replace Your Sunglasses Lenses

Sometimes, it makes sense just to change your lenses. They may be scratched or broken, or simply your eyes have changed. Changing lenses can mean you keep hold of a set of frames you like and fit well.

There are several indications that you may need to change lenses. In some cases, such as cracks or scratches, it can be obvious. But sometimes, the problem can sneak up on you. If you’re noticing more eye strain, headaches, blurry vision or dizziness then it might be time to change them. You can repair scratched sunglasses with our replacement lenses to breathe a new lease of life into your shades.

Seeing Clearly: No More Headache Hazards with The Right Shades

As we’ve seen, there’s no reason why your sunglasses should be causing you headaches and migraines - they should be doing the opposite. Low-quality lenses, poorly fitting frames and outdated prescriptions can all be the culprit. However, by investing in sunglasses that fit you and are made from high-quality materials, you’re helping to ensure your long-term eye comfort and health. To ensure your sunglasses have the best-quality lenses that will stand the test of time, look no further than Sunglass Fix.