Contact lenses vs. eyeglasses: what should you pick?

People needing vision correction always face this question: what's the better choice for contact lenses vs. eyeglasses? It would be best if you looked into many factors, such as lifestyle, comfort, budget, and aesthetics, among others.

Vision correction is a must for patients whose eyes cannot bend or refract light correctly, causing them to see blurry images. If your visual acuity is not 20/20, yet your eyes are relatively healthy, these two options are your best bets to improve your fuzzy vision.

One is not necessarily superior to the other, but they do have key differences that can affect your buying decision. Here are a few points to consider when choosing the right optic aids for you.

Contact lenses vs. eyeglasses: the pros and cons

There's no right or wrong when choosing the best vision corrective device you prefer. To help you choose, here is a quick guide discussing their pros and cons.

Eyeglasses

People of all ages with eye problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism can wear eyeglasses. Specs are straightforward to wear for kids, making them a suitable option.

Pros of prescription eyeglasses

1. Eyeglasses prevent you from constantly rubbing or touching your eyes. It reduces the probability of catching an eye infection or irritating your eye.

2. Glasses don't worsen the symptoms of dry eye syndrome (insufficient tear production), unlike contact lenses.

3. Specs can be cheaper in the long run because there's no need to buy new ones frequently unless they get broken. You can also keep using the frame even if you need to replace lenses for a new prescription.

4. You can express your fashion sense with a great variety of frame shapes, colors, and styles! For example, you can choose the Azalea Cat eye glasses with a floral print that adds a chic and pretty addition to your outfit.

5. Glasses are protective eyewear that can shield you from wind, dust, debris, and other harsh natural elements that may cause eye irritation.

6. Some spectacles are specially coated to protect against glare and harmful UV rays emitted by the sun or digital devices.

Cons of prescription eyeglasses

1. A pair of glasses sits around half an inch from your eyes, which can cause your vision to become distorted.

2. Your eyes would need to adjust when you start wearing glasses. Some people report blurry vision and trouble focusing on objects when changing to new prescriptions.

3. Glasses tend to make people feel that their best features get hidden behind the frame. Additionally, the lens can be too thick if your eye doctor orders a strong prescription.

4. The lens can fog up due to elements like cold weather and steam, which obstruct your vision.

5. You might choose the wrong frame that sits too tight on your nose and behind the ears, which can cause discomfort and headaches.

Contact lenses

If you lead an active lifestyle, contact lenses might be the best choice for you. Athletes, movers, and shakers don't have to mind their glasses falling off or shifting from their faces when wearing contacts. Swimmers can also see better by wearing contact lenses with their regular goggles.

Pros of contact lenses

1. Contact lenses grant a wider field of view because they conform to your eye's curvature. Therefore, it provides a less obstructed and distorted vision, allowing you to see your surroundings effectively.

2. You can wear them when exercising or playing sports and not have to adjust or take them off constantly.

3. Contacts don't fog up when exposed to cold weather or steam, keeping your vision clear and unobstructed by precipitation.

4. There is plenty of contact lens colors and designs! You can even purchase special-effect contacts, which are extremely useful in costume parties.

5. Some special contact lenses can reshape the cornea to temporarily correct myopia, allowing you to see without corrective devices the next day.

Cons of contact lenses

1. It's tricky to apply contact lenses to your eye if you do it for the first time. You need to practice the proper technique to prevent irritating or poking your eye when wearing it.

2. Contact lenses may cause dry eye syndrome because they block oxygen from reaching the eye. It can trigger dry eyes characterized by itching, redness, and eye inflammation.

3. It can contribute to computer vision syndrome, which causes headaches, blurred vision, and a burning sensation in your eyes.

4. You need to properly care for each lens and clean them every day to prevent developing an eye infection due to poor eye hygiene.

Is it better to wear eyeglasses or contacts?

If you have been wearing glasses for several years, you might find it strange to switch to contact lenses and vice versa. The long-standing argument on contact lenses vs. glasses doesn't have any winner!

Both options provide various benefits that may work for some but not everyone. Therefore, it's best to consider your personal preference and lifestyle when selecting the best solution for your eye problem.

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