Contacts vs Glasses — Which One Should You Choose?
When you go for an eye test and have to choose between glasses or contact lenses, it can be very difficult. There are many pros and cons when it comes to contacts vs glasses, but at the end of the day, the choice depends on your personal preference.
If you need to wear glasses or contacts for vision correction, it’s important to know which one will suit you and your lifestyle the best.
Glasses
The two types of eyeglasses are single vision and multifocal lenses. Single vision glasses help with distance (when you only need help with seeing either far or near). On the other hand, multifocal ones have two or three different lens types in one, and they help you to see both far and near for example.
The Pros and Cons
- While glasses used to be made from glass, most are now made from plastic; this means that they are a lot lighter. However, the weight still does take some getting used to when you first get a pair of glasses.
- The lenses can get different kinds of coatings that may help to protect your eyes while working on the computer or staring at screens for long periods.
- Glasses also need a lot less maintenance than contact lenses, as they are not in direct contact with your eyes.
- This does mean, however, that some of your peripheral vision (between your face and the lenses) can be a bit blurry still.
- The lenses that are used in glasses can get scratched or even fall off your face, especially if you are busy doing activities like sports or exercise.
- The frames you choose for your glasses can also be an extension of your personality. However, the frames may also clash with some of your outfits.
- Lastly, glasses may fog up in either cold or very humid weather, and they will get wet when it rains, obstructing your view.
Contact Lenses
The Pros and Cons
- Contact lenses are made from very thin plastic, meaning that they can bend and shape to fit your eye perfectly.
- Because there are no frames, your vision is unobstructed, and your peripheral vision isn’t blurred.
- Because the contact lenses are in full contact with your eyes, the cleaning and storing of the lenses are especially important to avoid infections.
- Contact lenses won’t fog up in cold or humid weather, and they also don’t get wet and obstruct your view when it rains.
- Contact lenses won’t fall from your face when you do sports or exercise.
- Because the lenses are in contact with your eyes, they won’t scratch.
- As there is a lot of maintenance when it comes to contact lenses, there are more costs involved than with a pair of glasses.
- You don’t have to worry about frames that clash with what you’re wearing when you have contact lenses.
- If you have certain allergies, however, your eyes may become very irritated, itchy and red when wearing contact lenses.
Contacts vs Glasses: How to Pick
When you pick whether to get glasses or contact lenses, there are some things you can keep in mind to help you choose. These include:
- Your budget
- How much time and effort you want to put into care and maintenance
- If you live a very active lifestyle and, for example, take part in outdoor sport and activities
- If you will need special coatings on the lenses
- If you are allergic to contact lenses
However, you also don’t have to strictly choose between contacts and glasses; you can get contact lenses for everyday use and glasses for lazy days at home! Laser eye surgery is also a potential option, which you can read more about here.
Filling a Prescription for Glasses or Contact Lenses
It’s actually quite easy to fill a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. The first thing you need to do is go to an optometrist or eye specialist and have your eyes tested.
If you’re still debating contacts vs glasses at this point, now is a good time to discuss this with the specialist, as they will be able to give you advice.
The optometrist or eye specialist will then give you a prescription for the strength of lenses that you need. You can either ask the specialist to use their preferred supplier, or you can use a trusted online supplier.
If you do choose to go with glasses, you will need to pick a frame first, as the lenses are made specially to fit the frame you choose.
It usually takes a few days to create the lenses and glasses, while contact lenses you can usually get immediately. When you get your new glasses or contact lenses, give your eyes a few days to adjust to the lens strengths — then enjoy being able to see clearly again!