Glasses or contacts? It might not seem like it, but this question has graced the minds of almost everyone who has had to choose between them. Not all of us go through life with perfect 20/20 vision; glasses and later on contact lenses have immensely helped those with vision problem live a better quality of life. While some can easily choose between glasses or contacts, many of us are still on the fence, particularly first-time glasses users. Either of these tools is supposed to fulfil one thing – give you near-perfect vision. If you are considering your options, and wondering whether to choose eyeglasses or contact lenses, look no further. To help you make a better-informed decision, we’re listing out the basic requirements that glasses or contacts are meant to meet.
Ease of use
The kind of lifestyle you lead would generally determine what you can choose between glasses and contacts. However, a lot of it also depends on personal preference. For those who travel a lot, some find glasses extremely uncomfortable to wear and opt for contact lenses. Lens users, on the other hand, find long-haul flights very drying for their contacts. Glasses are a lot easier to carry around, whereas for contacts, you will need the lenses as well as the lens solution. Glasses also tend to fog up if subjected to a change in weather or temperature. However, the biggest advantage of wearing glasses is that you can put them on and you’re ready to go. Using contacts takes a lot more time and care. So your choice between glasses or contacts depends on which you’re more comfortable with.
Cleaning and maintenance
Glasses tend to get scratched and damaged a lot faster than contact lenses. However, to maintain them, you only need a soft cloth and must remember to store them in the case they came in. Lenses, on the other hand, require your fingers to be clean at all times. While handling lenses, you make direct contact with your eyes, and the smallest particle of dirt can give rise to infection or at the very least inflame your eye or cause it to tear up. However, several people who wear contact lenses prefer them to the bulky weight of glasses and always having to carry their case along with you. Here, too, the battle between contact lenses vs glasses comes down to your personal preference. You can read our blog on do’s and don’ts’ of cleaning your glasses for more information.
Correcting astigmatism
Astigmatism is an umbrella term for nearsightedness or short-sightedness and can be completely corrected with surgery. Another option, of course, is using glasses or contacts to correct astigmatism, particularly in children. While many people believe that only glasses can correct astigmatism, this is a common misconception. Contact lenses, too, can be used to correct your vision. Thus, similar to most cases, either glasses or lenses can help you with astigmatism.
Complement an active lifestyle
If you are an athlete or someone that spends a lot of time outdoors, then this is a no-brainer for you. Contact lenses are the obvious choice for people with an active lifestyle be it sports, swimming, engineering, architecture, etc. With regular glasses, you will always be aware of the frame slipping down your nose and the edges or the frame in your vision. While eyeglasses or contact lenses have many similar advantages, when it comes to keeping up with an energetic lifestyle, contact lenses are the clear winner.
Match your style
Glasses can do a lot to complement the shape of your face. With the right frame, you can highlight your favourite features or hide ones that you aren’t so confident about. While this is a tremendous advantage, everyone will always have only one pair of glasses. This means that the style of the frame you choose will be constant across all your outfits. Choosing funky frames will not suit formal wear clothes, and work-appropriate eyewear will look drab at a party or festive occasion. However, while considering lenses vs glasses, contact lenses will give you the advantage of matching any outfit and occasion. What’s more, there are single-use disposable contacts available in a variety of colours and patterns for a fun event or party.
Work appropriate
Most of us today work in an environment that revolves around screens. Our jobs require us to stare at screens for a considerable chunk of the day. The same applies when we get off work – our free time also involves looking at screens. No matter what digital activity you are partaking in, chances are you are being exposed to copious amounts of blue light being emitted from your monitors. Thanks to technology, we now have blue light blocking glasses which are capable of blocking up to 30% of blue light exposure. This is one advantage while considering the two options - eyeglasses or contact lenses - that contact lenses can’t give you. However, whether glasses or contacts, people are troubled by the same disadvantage of dry eyes. This problem is something that neither can solve and is a result of the modern way of work-life. If you suffer from dry eyes, be sure to take preventative measures and care for your eyes.
Affordability
When trying to choose between glasses or contacts, one advantageous aspect is the fact that both are incredibly affordable. Glasses are a one-time investment (unless your power changes); contact lenses are inexpensive enough to purchase multiple times over.
Since both glasses and contacts share similar advantages and disadvantages, talking to your eye practitioner is probably the best way to decide which vision option will suit you best. Once you’ve done that, head over to Specsmakers to choose from a wide range of glasses or contacts.
