Glasses are better than contacts for people who prefer to be able to remove their eyewear frequently throughout the day, like to make a fashion statement with their accessories, and are prone to dry eyes. Contacts are better for those who do not enjoy the weight or feel of glasses, don't suffer from chronic allergies, and don't mind touching their eyes. Glasses and contacts both have pros and cons, and factors like lifestyle, convenience, comfort, budget, and style determine which option is better for you.
Let's take a closer look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of contacts and glasses.
The biggest pro to glasses is their fashion potential, their cost efficiency, and the comfort they provide to wearers with sensitive eyes. The downside to glasses is that they are often bulky, easy to lose, and can cause some peripheral vision distortion. Contacts, on the other hand, are seamless, people won't know you have them on, and they don't require you to have prescription sunglasses. That being said, the downside to contacts is that they can make your eyes dry, they require a lot of changing and care, and they can contribute to increased computer vision syndrome. Whether you choose to wear contacts or glasses comes down to your preferences and vision needs.
Your optician can help you decide what type of contacts would maximize the benefits and minimize the drawbacks of contacts for you.
Almost everyone can wear contact lenses. Contact lens technology has progressed so that there are contact lenses to correct a wide variety of vision problems.
Yes. Modern contact lenses are good for your eyes, as long as you disinfect or replace them as often as directed. That will be daily, weekly, monthly, or longer, depending on the kind of contacts you choose. Problems can occur if you do not take proper care when handling and disinfecting the contacts or do not dispose of them as frequently as directed.
You should choose glasses with bifocals over contacts if you suffer from dry eyes and allergies, or if you want to be able to remove your eyewear throughout the day. Contacts with bifocals are a great option for those who don't mind contact lenses and prefer their convenience. Whether you choose to wear glasses or contacts, either can be made into bifocal or progressive lenses.
Contacts can be as effective or more effective than glasses for people with astigmatism and are sometimes a better option. People with astigmatism—a condition in which the eye is more oval than round, causing visual distortion—can wear either glasses or contacts.
Glasses are generally less expensive than contacts in the long run because they do not need to be replaced as often. However, if your glasses break, they can be expensive to replace. Take into account your lifestyle as well, as people who are highly active may prefer contacts to glasses.
Yes, you can wear contacts and glasses at the same time. This is especially applicable for people who wear contacts to correct their distance vision, but only need to wear readers when doing close-up work. If your contacts and glasses are meant to correct the same problem, wearing them both at the same time is redundant. That being said, anyone who wears contacts should also own a pair of glasses. Generally, you can't wear your contacts 24/7, so glasses are a good idea for the "off" time.
Yes! In fact, wearing sunglasses with contacts is a great way to enjoy vision correction and protect your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays. If you wear prescription glasses in lieu of contacts, then consider purchasing a pair of prescription sunglasses in order to enjoy the benefits of both eyeglasses and sunglasses in one pair of frames.
A contact lens prescription and a glasses prescription are two very different things. A contact lens sits right against the surface of your eye, while a glasses lens sits away from it. The strength, curvature, and thickness of each lens can change drastically based on this data. Your eye doctor can provide accurate prescriptions for either or both, so if you’re not sure whether you’ll be wearing only glasses or only contact lenses, ask for prescriptions for both at your next visit.
While some people feel like they see better with contacts, others feel they do with glasses. There are a few reasons why you may see better while wearing contacts or glasses, versus experiencing the same visual clarity between the two. One reason is the prescription for either your glasses or contacts may be outdated, easily remedied. As noted above, the prescriptions for the two are not interchangeable and if you haven’t received an updated prescription for either recently, it may be time to schedule a visit to your eye doctor to get checked for a new prescription.
Another reason you may see better or more comfortably with contacts than glasses is a condition called anisometropia. This perception of different image sizes can be caused when switching between contacts and glasses and will often make you feel like you see better with contacts, as there is no image minimization or maximization with contacts. When you switch to glasses, however, the glasses lenses account for farsightedness and nearsightedness with a plus or minus prescription, which makes images larger or smaller, respectively. This change in how you see through your glasses lenses versus your contact lenses may account for why you see better with contacts.
Athletes and active types have some special concerns when deciding between contact lenses and prescription eyeglasses.
Some of the best contact lenses for sports are multifocal contacts, which improve near and distant vision quality simultaneously. These are especially beneficial for people over the age of forty who may have multiple prescriptions.
Contemporary designs and technologies have greatly enhanced the performance of traditional glasses. No-slip grips at the temple tips and fog-resistant lenses make glasses more comfortable and convenient than ever before. You may also consider prescription sunglasses for primarily outdoor activities; these will properly adjust your vision while blocking blinding sunlight.
Our best recommendation for athletes and active hobbyists alike is to keep both contact lenses and glasses on hand. In the event your eyes become too irritated to wear contacts, your glasses will be a welcome fallback. In the reverse situation, when your regular glasses fog up, get streaked with rain, slip out of place, or they’re subjected to impacts, you can swap out for contacts. Whichever your main preference, it doesn't hurt athletes to keep each option available in the spirit of expecting the unexpected.
The way to choose the right type of contact lens is to consider what issues the contacts need to address, the price, and the color you want. For each point, decide:
Hard contact lenses are more durable than soft lenses and maintain their shape better, but they do require a longer adjustment period than soft contacts. Soft contact lenses are known for their comfort. Most are made to wear during the day and remove at night, but extended wear varieties can be worn continuously for 24 hours or more. Some soft lenses are disposable and made to wear for a specified amount of time—sometimes as little as a day—and then thrown out. Other types of soft lenses are designed to last for a year when properly cleaned and disinfected.
When you have your eye exam, your eye doctor will determine the prescription you need to correct your vision, and will also measure your eyes so that the contacts will fit comfortably. You can then buy the contacts from the optometrist or order your contacts online. The cost of the contact lens depends on which type you and your eye care specialist have decided on. Many times, lower prices are available online than at the eye doctor's office. Some insurance plans cover the cost of contacts; check into this before your appointment.
To order contacts online, you will need a prescription from your eye doctor that is less than a year old.
While many people buy their contacts directly from their optometrist, purchasing contacts online will usually save you money. Many people also enjoy the convenience of having the contacts delivered right to their door, and the ability to shop around for the best deal. However, you will want to make sure you order from a reputable company with great products and customer service—check the Better Business Bureau or other online source for reviews.
Check our website for rebates, contact lens discounts, coupon codes, or sales that will save you even more money. Buying contact lenses online can be a cost-efficient and pleasant experience, as long as you know what to look for.
Factors like style, budget, convenience, and comfort make choosing between glasses and contacts a personal decision. Happy, healthy eyes are essential, so the "better" choice is the choice that is better for YOU. Whichever one you choose, remember to get your eyes checked every year to update your prescription and keep your eyes in tip-top shape.