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Unable to wear my glasses for 8 months now due to pain.

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 12/12/2017 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 27 years old and for some reason I suddenly can't wear glasses anymore without experiencing awful pain. The pair I had worn for a few years broke back in April and when I tried to find a new pair, I had trouble finding any that didn't hurt. I assumed that maybe I was just buying ones that were too big or heavy but literally 20+ pairs and six months later I still can't wear glasses. I've worn glasses since second grade and never had an issue till now. The pain starts where the glasses are pressing on my nose and radiates outward, like a headache. It's this horrible dull aching pressure type of pain. It really hurts.

I saw my GP and he was perplexed. He sent me in for a CT to make sure I didn't have a tumor (wearing glasses through the pain sometimes results in dizziness where I can't keep my balance, like the room is tilting on me, and that concerned him). CT came back with mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinuses and a spinal anatomical variant, no tumors. He said he didn't think the sinus thing would cause pain but he's sending me a referral to go to an ENT anyway.

In the meantime, I've gone without my sight for so long that I'm getting really depressed. I am nearsighted and I feel so detached from the world. I'm supposed to go on vacation in two weeks for the first time in 14 years and this has just magnified the desperation because I won't be able to see when I'm there. My most basic sense is cut off. I've tried taping my glasses to my face, attaching them to hats with string, but these are all temporary fixes and hats cause me discomfort as well.


I have an ENT appointment 2 months from now and I just feel so defeated. I'm afraid I'm going to see the ENT after months of gatekeeping and he won't know what's causing the pain. I have tried contacts too, to tide me over till I can wear glasses again, but I have astigmatisms and I haven't found any that I can see clearly out of without discomfort yet. I just feel so hopeless. I'm so scared they won't know what's wrong with me, no one seems to have any idea.

Post Edited (Avery) : 12/12/2017 1:40:28 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/12/2017 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Avery & welcome to the forum. Sorry to read about the difficulty you are having. It is frustrating when we can't get any clear cut answers. I do not remember seeing anyone come through here having the situation that you are. I am a long time wearer of glasses too. The only time I have had issues with my glasses is when I have severe sinus infections. Mostly they were uncomfortable on my nose. I do hope the ENT will be able to figure out what you have going on.

Take care.
Posted 12/12/2017 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
This sounds very close to the reason I cannot wear my glasses when experiencing a migraine.

The way you explain pain radiating out from the bridge of your nose as if the frames are too heavy is pretty much what I get.

Having tried hundreds of different frames over the years and always getting the very lightest pair, I know the frames are not the problem.

During a migraine I simply cannot wear them or I will get dizzy and nauseated.

My Doctor sent me to a Neuro-Opthamologist and he couldn't find anything wrong with my eyes.

I can wear contacts but being on disability and not having a work schedule, I know I would rarely wear them. I do keep some just in case.

So sorry this is affecting you as I know it is miserable.

Let me know if you find out what is causing it.

Cindy smilewinkgrin
Posted 12/12/2017 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Avery,

Have you talked to anyone at your optical shop about this (I mean other than just trying on new pairs of glasses)? I know it is a long shot, but maybe adjusting your glasses somehow might help? The optical shop that I use is fabulous. They are associated with my ophthalmologist's practice and they cut their own lenses and also routinely consult with patients about problems like this. So perhaps your optical shop might be able to help. Just a thought. If contacts are an option, perhaps that might help too. It wouldn't fix any underlying problem, but it might help you to see better in the mean time... LASIX might also be an option depending on your condition (again, wouldn't fix the underlying problem that is causing the pain, but would fix the issue of having to wear glasses/not being able to see without glasses).

If the ENT doesn't pan out, perhaps a neurologist? Among many, many eye problems, I also have a neuroinflammatory disease that affects my eye and face and causes severe pain, and I also sometimes have problems with wearing my glasses because of that (though my pain is quite different). It is possible that something neurologic, like your trigeminal nerve (the main sensory nerve in the face) or atypical headache, is causing you pain.

Anyways, I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope you find some answers and some relief soon!

Skeye

Post Edited (skeye) : 12/12/2017 4:58:24 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/13/2017 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
I've seen pads that attach to the 'nose pieces' that distribute the weight of the eyeglasses a bit differently and I'm wondering if you've tried them?

There are also safety goggles that have different magnification. The different shape might help. While it wouldn't be the most attractive look, it might help to give that part of your face a bit of a break.

Have you done any massage of that area? A good certified massage therapist may be able to help. Nerves can get fatigued just as muscles can.
Posted 12/14/2017 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much to everyone that responded, I really appreciate you taking the time to read what I posted. I'm going to a glasses store tomorrow to try frames that weigh only 1.8 grams. If those end up hurting, I'll just be out of options and have to wait until I see the ENT and hope they have an answer for me, and if not it will likely be a neurologist after that. It's been really comforting to see that there are other people out there that have a similar issue, even though none of us seem to have any answers as to why. I often feel like maybe it's all in my head even though I know that's really not true and the way glasses stores and eye doctors start to treat me after I try more than two frames is really disheartening. I appreciate the support in the responses so much.
Posted 2/3/2020 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Avery. I just googled this problem, because I started to experience it myself in the last 6 months. Your post came up. Did you ever find out the actual cause of the problem, or figure out how to fix/deal with it? I can’t find any pair of glasses or sunglasses that I can wear on my nose, anymore, and it makes me feel like I’m going crazy!
Posted 2/3/2020 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Naninoo, unfortunately this post is dated 2017 & we have not heard from Avery since then. I have worn glasses all my life. When getting new glasses if they are not comfortable when I first try the frame on, I don't order them. I buy the lightest frames possible & spend extra money to get the thinnest & lightest weight lenses too. Yes, I do spend a little more but, I wear mine all the time & a good frame will last. I liken them to finding a pair of good supportive comfortable shoes, lol. Frames & lenses have come a long way from when I was a kid. Back then we didn't have the options we have today. Having a frames that fit properly is a must. I have a small face, with a short temple length. My temple length is 135 which is short, but a perfect fit for me.

I hope you can find something you can tolerate.
Posted 3/9/2022 5:21 AM (GMT 0)
Avery-- I ALSO have this same problem. Exactly as you have said. I cannot wear my glasses-- causes pain on my nose and I have to hold my glasses in front of my eyes to use them. I have not found a solution and non of the many docs have any answers as well.
Posted 3/9/2022 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
It appears there are several of us who have this issue-- and no doctors have any answers. How are we supposed to get help?
Posted 3/10/2022 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! Have you tried wire rimmed glasses? I used to wear plastic frames and they hurt me plus they are harder to adjust to your face. I know plastic frames are very popular now but it’s important that you can wear glasses.

Also, if your lenses are thick, I think they have plastic lenses that are lightweight.

When I bought mine, the nosepiece and arms were adjusted to my face and head. I think I had to go back a couple of times and have them adjusted again after wearing them for days. They fixed the areas that needed adjustment and I’ve been wearing them ever since and I don’t even know I have them on! I hope this helps.

Sherrine
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