Are contact lenses or glasses better for you or your vision?
There are pros and cons to wearing glasses and/or contact lenses. So, to help you decide what is best for YOU and your visual needs, we thought we would highlight both.
Glasses (Pros and Cons)
- The biggest benefit to glasses is that anyone can wear them, regardless of their age.
- Glasses are pretty accurate in vision correction. However, should your vision change, there is a cost associated with lens changes – especially if you elect for high-end transition lenses.
- Glasses can make for a nice accessory to any wardrobe. However, if the color of your frames are bright, bold, and sassy, to fit your personality, but your event calls for something more subdued – you may have a wardrobe disaster on your hands.
- Glasses can be problematic if you play sports.
- Glasses leave an unsightly mark on your nose.
- They are the safest form of vision. There is no risk of infection from dirty contact lens wear.
- Can prevent injury by stopping debris from getting into your eyes.
- They tend to fog up during heat or in high humidity environments.
Contact Lenses (Pros and Cons)
- Contact lenses match any outfit.
- Hard to locate when they fall out, causing financial setback when purchasing replacement contact lenses.
- Greater visual clarity than glasses.
- Higher risk of infection should you fail to properly clean and store them.
- Not good in extreme weather conditions as they can become uncomfortable.
Below is a cheat sheet that highlights some of the benefits of contact lenses over glasses. However, the bottom line is to ALWAYS consult with your ophthalmologist or optometrist to make the most informed decision.
| Eyeglasses | Contact Lenses |
|---|---|
| The distance between your eye and the lens sometimes creates distortion. | Worn right on the eye, for more natural vision. |
| Poor peripheral (side) vision. | Your entire field of view is in focus. This is especially important in sports and in driving, where you need to see as much around you as possible. |
| Constant awareness of frame and lens edge, as well as reflections off the backside of the lens. | With contacts, no annoying obstructions or reflections are in view. |
| Uncomfortable weight on your face and ears. Periodic need for tightening or other adjustments. | No weight and resulting discomfort. No frame constantly slipping down your nose. |
| Glasses fog up with changes in temperature. | Contacts don’t fog up. |
| Glasses are a distraction during games and sports. | No distractions, which makes contact lenses a favorite among athletes. |
| Fashionable and inexpensive non-prescription sunglasses are not an option if you wear eyeglasses. | A whole wardrobe of fashionable, functional, affordable sunglasses is available to contact lens wearers. |
| Glasses need to complement your outfit. For instance, casual frames may not suit evening attire. Or colors may clash. | Contacts match everything you wear. |
| Eyeglasses are annoying to wear in rain or snow. | Contact lenses won’t collect precipitation and blur your vision. |
| Glasses are an unnatural, distracting barrier between your eyes and the world. | Contacts don’t detract from your natural appearance; they let people see your eyes. |
