Can Wearing Glasses Too Long Cause a Crooked Nose?

— My Experience with a Deviated Septum and Why It’s Not Too Late to Take Care of Your Nose

There was a time when I wore my glasses from the moment I woke up to the moment I fell asleep — and sometimes even through the night. I never really thought much of it. Glasses were part of me, almost like a second pair of eyes. But then one day, I looked in the mirror and noticed something strange: my nose didn’t seem symmetrical anymore. One nostril looked a little smaller. And the bridge of my nose? A bit slanted.
I panicked — could it be the glasses?

Turns out, I wasn’t imagining it.

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📌 Can Glasses Really Change the Shape of Your Nose?

Let’s get this straight: glasses don’t usually cause permanent internal structural changes like a deviated septum (the bending of the cartilage and bone inside the nose), but…

👉 They can leave a lasting mark on the external shape of your nose if worn too tightly or too long — especially if you sleep in them regularly.

The bridge of your nose is made of cartilage and soft tissue. And just like how consistent pressure can cause your ears to change shape (like from headphones or earrings), the pads on your glasses can slowly reshape the soft contours of your nose over time.

📌 What Is a Deviated Septum Then?

A deviated septum happens when the thin wall inside your nose that separates the two nostrils is off-center or crooked. It can be:

• Congenital (you were born with it)
• The result of trauma (you bumped or injured your nose)
• The result of uneven growth during puberty

You won’t get a deviated septum from wearing glasses. But you might notice it more if the external shape of your nose changes from consistent pressure — making asymmetries more visible.

📌 How Do You Know If You Have It?

Here are some common symptoms:

• One nostril is always more blocked than the other
• You snore loudly or breathe through your mouth often
• You experience frequent sinus infections
• You feel like you never breathe quite "fully" through your nose

The only way to know for sure? A quick visit to an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist). With a nasal endoscope, they can confirm in just a few minutes whether your septum is deviated.
That’s how I found out, too.

📌"Can I Fix It By Pressing the Crooked Side?"

I totally understand this urge. It seems like if something got pushed out of shape, maybe a little pressure can “push it back.”

Unfortunately… ❌ no, it doesn't work that way.

The septum is a combination of cartilage and bone, and once it’s set in a deviated shape, no amount of finger pressing or nose pinching will straighten it. In fact, ㅠ, which might make your breathing even worse.
But that doesn’t mean you’re helpless — at all.

📌What Can You Do If You Already Have a Deviated Septum?

1. Start with Gentle Daily Management

• Use a saline rinse or neti pot regularly
• Avoid nose-picking or nose-rubbing habits
• Sleep with your non-blocked nostril side up
  
• Maintain indoor humidity
• Treat allergies to reduce swelling inside the nose

2. Adjust How You Wear Your Glasses

• Make sure the nose pads are not too tight
  
• Get your glasses professionally fitted
  
• Choose a lighter frame (titanium or rimless options are great)
• Give your nose a break throughout the day if you can

3. Consult an ENT if Symptoms Are Severe

If you find yourself:

• Struggling to breathe at night
• Always relying on mouth breathing
• Getting headaches or sinus pressure

→ Then you might want to talk about septoplasty, a minor surgery that corrects the septum.

📌 What Is Septoplasty Like?

It’s not nearly as scary as it sounds.

• Procedure takes around 1 hour
  
• No external scars (everything is done inside the nose)
• Recovery time: 5–7 days for most people
• You can usually go home the same day

This surgery is functional, not cosmetic. But many people report that even their nose looks straighter or more balanced afterward.
If breathing has become a daily struggle, this might be a huge relief.

📌"I Stopped Wearing Glasses, But Is It Too Late?"

Let me say this loud and clear:

It’s never too late to take care of your nose — or your health.

Even if your glasses contributed to some external flattening or asymmetry, your nose is not ruined.

And even if your septum is deviated, it’s not a life sentence.

You are now aware. That alone puts you ahead of where you were before. You’ve stopped wearing your glasses all day. You’re being more mindful of pressure and posture. You’re paying attention to your breathing. That is huge.

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📌Final Thoughts — And A Gentle Reminder

Our bodies change over time — because of habits, aging, even stress. But they’re also incredibly adaptable and responsive to care.

If you’re someone who:

• Wore glasses too long and feels guilty about it
• Has a slightly crooked nose and wonders if it’s your fault
• Is scared to ask a doctor about their breathing
• Is just now realizing how precious "easy breathing" is

Then this post is for you.
I was there, too. And I promise: you’re not too late. You’re right on time.