Contact Lenses vs. Eyeglasses: Which Are Best for You?

If you have vision problems, you have several options to correct your vision and enhance your eye health. Many people choose to wear contacts or glasses as they are quick and simple solutions. Yet, surgical options are available too.

In your quest for a better vision, you may be wondering which option is best for you. Here is a look at contact lenses versus glasses to help you make an informed decision.

Similarities Between the Two

Both devices can help correct refractive errors or vision problems. Some of them are:
 

• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
   

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
   

• Astigmatism (vision distortion)
   

• Presbyopia (age-related vision changes)
   

Choosing to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses is largely a matter of personal preferences. Some people prefer convenience over comfort. Others may prefer their lifestyle over budget. Whatever your reasons, they both aim to improve your vision. None of them is necessarily better than the other. They all have their pros and cons in many aspects.

Advantages of Eyeglasses

Eyeglasses offer several advantages. They require minimal maintenance and cleaning. Also, they have a low risk of eye infections. It is because you do not need to touch your eyes when wearing them. Additionally, glasses are more affordable than contacts as they do not need frequent replacing.

A notable advantage of eyeglasses is controlling the amount of light that enters your eyes, enhancing comfort and vision. Photochromic glasses darken in sunlight and turn clear indoors, giving you comfy vision in any light. They also make a great fashion statement and can be an extension of your personality.

Advantages of Contact Lenses

Contact lenses also have distinct advantages over eyeglasses. Since they rest directly on the surface of your eye, your periphery vision remains unobstructed. Unlike eyeglasses, contacts allow you to participate in outdoor activities and sports more confidently. Contact lenses do not fall off or get in the way.

Also, you do not have to worry about them breaking. Additionally, color contact lenses allow you to change the color of your eyes, and they do not fog up in the cold like eyeglasses. Some contacts like ortho-k reshape your cornea while you sleep, temporarily correcting myopia.

Choosing Between Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses

For people who have been wearing eyeglasses for a long time, switching to contact lenses later can be difficult. And although sunglasses have a high score on some aspects, contact lenses also score high on others. Ultimately, what may work for one person or occasion might not work for another.

What may be perfect for one situation might be disastrous in another. For this reason, you should do thorough research on both choices before deciding. Ideally, consult your optometrist at Brandon Eyes regarding the matter.

Conclusion

Nowadays, people can successfully wear contacts even if they prefer eyeglasses as their primary option. It is all thanks to modern contact lens technology. So, wearing either of the vision correction devices is just a personal preference. Also, eye doctors recommend having an up-to-date pair of glasses even if you wear contact lenses. It helps in case you get an eye irritation or infection.

For more on contact lenses and eyeglasses, visit Brandon Eyes at our office in Middleton or Madison, Wisconsin. You can call (608) 833-7256 or (608) 833-0301 today to schedule an appointment.