Contacts and glasses: how do you decide which is right for you? Some patients who need corrective lenses strongly prefer glasses, while others strictly wear contacts. Many people opt for both. What factors lead to this preference, and how can you make the right decision for you? Comfort, convenience, and lifestyle will all be factors in your decision. Here's a quick reference guide to help you out.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses lenses are clear, thin, plastic disks that lie on the surface of your eye. Some patients swear by them, while others may be intimidated by the idea of putting something into their eye. Don't let this scare you off—adjusting to wearing contacts isn't as difficult as you might expect, and contact lenses can offer many advantages over eyeglasses. Here's some helpful information about contact lenses to help you make your choice:
- Contacts provide better peripheral vision than glasses, since they sit directly on your eye.
- Contacts conform to the curve of your eye, which can also mean less distortion than glasses.
- Contacts don't get in the way when exercising or playing sports.
- Contacts won't fog like eyeglasses do.
- Contacts can cause or increase symptoms of dry eye syndrome, since they reduce oxygen flow to your eyes.
- Daily contact lenses require cleaning and disinfecting every day to prevent problems such as eye infections.
- According to EyeSmart, disposable contact lenses may cost more than regular ones, since you wear them and throw them away each day, week, or month. The upside is that they require less cleaning and care.
- Extended-wear contact lenses can stay in your eyes while you sleep. However, you still have to remove them at least once a week to clean and disinfect them.
Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses are an easy and stylish way to wear corrective lenses, since you can choose from an endless range of styles, colors, and lenses to suit your prescription. They don't require any special care or cleaning, and won't lead to issues like dry eyes or pose any risk of eye infection. Here are some of the pros and cons of choosing glasses over contacts:
- According to EyeSmart, single-vision lenses correct distance vision, while multifocal lenses help correct both close and distance vision.
- Eyeglasses can be less expensive than contact lenses because they don't need to be replaced nearly as often.
- You can create an eyeglass wardrobe, with different styles and colors to match your personality—or for different uses, such as playing sports or reading.
- Your peripheral vision may not be as strong as it is with contacts, since glasses sit about half an inch away from your eyes.
- Strong prescriptions may require thicker lenses, which can change the appearance of your eyes to look larger or smaller than they really are.
- Some frames can leave marks on your nose or cause headaches by exerting pressure on the bridge of your nose and behind your ears.
- If you wear contacts full-time, it's still a good idea to have a pair of glasses with your current prescription as a backup in case of emergencies.
In the end, there is no right or wrong choice between contacts and glasses. The decision is entirely personal, and many patients wear both.
For questions or comments, contact Woodhams Eye Clinic.
