Contacts versus Glasses: Which one should you choose?

BY SeeclearOptical

2021-12-23

Do you wear eyeglasses? Have you ever thought of trying contact lenses?Whether you want to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses for vision correction, it mostly depends on personal preferences, such as lifestyle, comfort, convenience, and budget. One is not necessarily better than the other; each has its pros and cons in terms of vision, ease of use, and eye health This article compares contact lenses and eyeglasses, the pros and cons of each, and what factors to consider when choosing eyewear.

Is it better to wear glasses or contacts?

It’s an argument as heated as cats vs. dogs. Whether you choose to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses for vision correction it mostly depends on personal preferences. Lifestyle, comfort, convenience, budget and aesthetics should all be important factors into your decision-making process. Some wearers will opt for a combination of the two, whilst others have a solid preference for one and stick to it. But you should keep in mind that one is not necessarily better than the other; each has its pros and cons in terms of vision, ease of use and eye health. There are many misconceptions about contact lenses that prevent glass wearers from giving them a chance.

Difference between contacts and glasses

The battle between contact lenses vs. glasses may seem like a new concept but it is not. Just poke around chat forums and you will find loads of questions about the pros and cons of both. Let’s dig in deeper and analyze the differences between contact lenses and glasses.

	Contact Lenses	Glasses
Definition	A contact lens is a corrective, cosmetic, or therapeutic lens usually placed on the cornea of the eye.	Glasses or spectacles are frames bearing lenses worn in front of the eyes, normally for vision correction, eye protection, or for protection from UV rays.
Types	Corrective, Cosmetic, XChrom, Soflens, Hard lens, Therapeutic	Corrective, Sunglasses, 3D Glasses, Reading Glasses, Bifocals, Progressive, Bioptics
Usage	Up to 12-14 hours	No limit
Problems	Dry eye, eyelid related problems Contacts don't fog up.	No such eye related problems. Glasses fog up with changes in temperature
Care	Needs to be submerged in lens care solution when not in use and needs to be replaced periodically.	Lenses need to be wiped clean every so often to get rid of the dirt and other particles.
Cost	It can be bit expensive depending on the brands	You can play around the cost as frames and glasses are available in all price range
Convenience	One needs to be careful while using lens	It doesn’t come in direct contact with eyes, one need not be super careful

There are many differences between glasses and contact lenses, but there are some similarities, too:

Both require careful handling and cleaning
Both can correct astigmatism
Both are affordable

Are contacts bad for eyes?

There are many misconceptions about contact lenses that prevent glass wearers from giving them a chance. When gauging contact lenses vs. glasses, consider the convenience of each option. In general, glasses have less maintenance than contact lenses, but also less risk. It's not a big deal if you forget to clean the lenses on your glasses.

However, if you neglect to clean and care for your contact lenses, you risk causing permanent damage to your eyes.

The good news? Thanks to advancements in science and technology, the risk of issues is slim, as long as you take care of your contacts. The invention of daily disposable contact lenses is an example of such an advancement. This type of lens offers the ultimate convenience, while requiring zero maintenance.

Contact lenses, eyeglasses... Or both?

Do you live an active lifestyle? Does your job ask that you wear protective eyewear? Do you enjoy spending time outdoors? These questions will help you decide which one is better for you.

Both glasses and contacts can help you show off your style. weren't always considered stylish, but they're gaining popularity now. However, with the introduction of color contact lenses, you can instantly enhance or change the color of your eyes.

Research suggests that of the 75% of U.S. adults that currently require some sort of vision correction, a whopping 64% wear glasses. The remaining 11% choose contact lenses, which are either worn exclusively or interchanged with glasses.

Contact lenses can end up costing you more than eyeglasses, if you wear dailies, since they're replaced so often.

Interested to experience contact lenses?

The best thing is to discuss it with your eye doctor to decide which is the ideal solution for you. Eyeglasses will still be in use to give your eyes a break from contacts and to ensure the cornea gets some natural breathing time. Though glasses cannot be replaced by contacts entirely, they will always be a good supplement to contact lenses and vice versa.There you have it! The pros and cons of glasses vs. contact lenses. Now you can make an informed decision about which is best for you. Maybe you’ll even get both!