Contact lenses vs glasses – what are the pros and cons?

How to make the best choice for your lifestyle

Choosing between eyeglasses or contact lenses is a lot like age-old battles over cats vs dogs, crunchy over smooth peanut butter, or whether adding cilantro to your dish is murderous or amorous. It comes down to personal preference but there is one key difference – it’s entirely acceptable to switch between the two. Before you decide which option you invest in (or a combination of both), here’s what you need to know….

Glasses – the pros

• Eye irritation or infection less likely – with glasses, there’s no need at all to touch your eyes and no special care that you need to take to keep your glasses sanitized (unlike contacts).
• Lower cost – glasses are generally cheaper than contacts over the long term (although that is dependent on the next point – fashion). You don’t need to replace them as often as contacts (unless you’re prone to breaking them), and if your prescription changes, you may be able to keep the same frames and upgrade the lenses.
• They become a fashion accessory – glasses can speak volumes about the wearer. Whether it’s a polished professional look or a quirky, unique style, glasses can either make a statement or be completely understated. Many wearers will invest in a good-quality classic frame for everyday wear and additional lower-cost fashion frames.
• Blue light and UV benefits – wearing glasses that have been fitted with a blue light filter can help protect your eyes in front of computers or other screens, as can prescription sunglasses that contain UV filters.
• They’re easy – you pop them on your nose and over your ears and you’re ready to go. There’s minimal fuss and they don’t need much care compared to contacts.

Glasses – the cons

• Affect peripheral vision – glasses typically sit about half an inch from your eyes, distorting your peripheral vision. Sometimes this is only a temporary problem as your eyes adjust to the frames. However, it can be ongoing. It pays to speak to your optometrist if you’re experiencing this.
• It changes your facial aesthetic – some people don’t like how glasses affect their appearance – it can make your eyes appear magnified or hide facial features that you love.
• You’re at the mercy of the elements – sadly, glasses don’t come with mini windshield wipers or demisters to clear away the fog. Wearing glasses puts you at the mercy of the weather, which can be a pain and interfere with outdoorsy lifestyles.
• Under pressure – some frames (or heavy lenses) can put constant pressure on your nose, temples, or behind your ears. This can be a matter of adjusting to your new routine but could also indicate an incorrect fit. It’s best to chat to your optometrist if you feel uncomfortable in your frames.

Contacts – the pros

• The perfect fit – contacts snuggle up to the curvature of your eye and offer more natural vision correction than glasses. They move with your eye, which means fewer vision distortions and no obstructions that glasses can cause.
• Lifestyle ready – they won’t fly off your face while you’re playing a sport, fog up when exercising, or cause a whiteout while you’re hiking in the rain. Contacts also mean you can wear safety or sports equipment like goggles and helmets without any interference.
• Match your eye color with your mood – contacts allow you to experiment with different eye colors, and you’ll never have to worry about them clashing with your outfit.

Contacts – the cons

• Practice makes perfect – mastering the art of applying and removing contact lenses can take some time. It can be uncomfortable and daunting to place foreign objects on such sensitive organs, so they aren’t for everyone.
• Dry-eyed days – contacts reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your eye and can cause or increase your likelihood of suffering from dry eye syndrome. Ideally, your contact lenses should sit on a thin film of fluid replaced each time you blink, but if the fit is incorrect, this might not be the case. If you notice an increase in dryness or discomfort wearing contacts, you should speak to your optometrist.
• It’s another thing to clean – Are you a diligent daily flosser? The type that regularly dusts surfaces and cleans out the refrigerator? If so, contacts probably won’t be a problem. They require proper lens care and case cleaning each day to avoid potential infections, and you’ll also need to be diligent about washing your hands before handling them.

The choice is yours

With over 194 million people across the States wearing eyeglasses or contacts to improve vision, the days of thick glasses akin to milk bottles or heavy glass contacts of the late 1800s are long gone. Glasses and contacts offer different benefits to wearers, and it’s essential to consider factors like lifestyle, hobbies, comfort, and cost when weighing up what’s right for you. And remember, if your budget allows, you can always choose both!