Thinking of Switching from Eye Glasses to Contact Lenses?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/25/2021 - 12:59
Container with contact lenses and glasses on towel

Glasses and contacts are devices used to correct the vision of those who have eye problems, such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and/or astigmatism. Although glasses are the most commonly used device to correct vision conditions, contacts are also a convenient and efficient alternative that is used by many people. If you are torn between choosing glasses or contacts to correct your vision, the following pros and cons of both options will help you decide which option is the best for you.

Eye Glasses-The Pros and Cons

Eyeglasses are the most common option used for vision correction, such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, and/or astigmatism. Eyeglasses generally consist of a plastic or glass lens and a frame in which the lens is placed. A convex lens is typically used to correct farsightedness and a concave lens is generally used to correct nearsightedness. Either lens may also be cylindrical, which is used for those with an eye condition known as astigmatism.

Pros of Eye Glasses

  • Easy to maintain: The maintenance for glasses usually consists of keeping them in a case when not in use and cleaning the lenses
  • Easy to use: Eyeglasses are easy to use, especially for young children, because they are slipped onto your face (they sit on your ears and nose)
  • Cost-effective: Depending on what lens, frame and other options that you choose, the cost of glasses can be high; however, basic options are fairly inexpensive, and they can be worn for several years without being changed.

Cons of Eye Glasses

  • Sometimes they are inconvenient: Some people, especially those who play sports or have an active lifestyle may find eyeglasses to be inconvenient. They also can be inconvenient during inclement weather because they may get foggy and/or wet.
  • Peripheral vision may be distorted: Some people that wear glasses have difficulty focusing on objects in their peripheral vision, this is especially common in those that are new to wearing glasses.
  • Bulky and unappealing: Some people, especially those with a strong prescription may find that their glasses and sometimes unattractive. This is because the lenses are typically thicker and the frames need to be thicker to support the lens.

Contact Lenses-The Pros and Cons

Contact lenses are much more versatile than before. There are several types of contact lenses, but the most common are soft contact lenses. Soft contact lenses can be used to correct vision problems, such as farsightedness, nearsightedness, blurred vision, and/or age-related loss of close-up vision. They are available as daily wear lenses or overnight (extended) wear lenses.

Pros of Contact Lenses

  • Virtually invisible: It is nearly impossible for other people to know that you are wearing contact lenses.
  • Comfort: Once you adjust to putting in and wearing contact lenses, they are comfortable to wear. They are made of a breathable material that helps the eyes maintain moisture. They are the ideal option for those with an active lifestyle.
  • Full-field of vision: Contacts are made to fit the curvature of your eye, so you will have a full field of vision, including your peripheral vision.
  • No fogging: Contact lenses don’t fog or get wet in inclement weather. And, you can wear sunglasses during sunny weather.

Cons of Contact Lenses

  • Hard to maintain: It is extremely important to clean contacts daily in order to prevent infections. Contact lenses must be properly stored when they aren’t in use and if they are mishandled, they may rip.
  • Difficult to put in: Some people, especially those who are new to wearing contacts may have trouble putting them in their eyes.
  • May be expensive: Although the cost of contacts has significantly decreased over the years, they may need to be replaced often, which may make them more expensive than eyeglasses in the long run.
  • Dry eyes: Some people struggle with their eyes becoming dry when wearing contacts, but in most situations, this is caused by not properly lubricating the contacts before inserting them into the eye. They may also lead to dry eyes when wearing for extended periods of time.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both glasses and contacts, but the good news is, you don’t have to always choose between one or the other. It is common for people to own both, which allows you to switch between them depending on your mood, and which is the most convenient for the day.

Additional information:

>> Dangers of Buying Contacts Online without a Prescription

To schedule an eye exam for eyeglasses or contacts, contact Gem State Eyecare.