When to Choose Glasses Over Contacts

It is a very personal choice. While both contact lenses and glasses each have benefits, here are a few reasons you might want to choose glasses instead of contacts to correct your vision.

Glasses are easy

Compared to the work required with contact lenses, maintaining glasses is easy. You’ll never have to remember when you opened your newest set of disposable lenses or worry about falling asleep in your contacts. Additionally, glasses won’t put you at a greater risk for an eye infection, and you won’t have to buy contact lens solution. Glasses are definitely a simple way to correct your vision.

Glasses are appropriate and safe for every age level

From babies to seniors, everyone can wear glasses. Contacts, on the other hand, require special care and maintenance. Parents often debate whether their children are responsible enough to care for contact lenses, and this is a valid concern. Improper care of contacts increases the risk of bacterial infections and eye ulcers. Over-wearing contact lenses can compromise the oxygen flow to the cornea, and in severe cases, can permanently affect vision.

Glasses are more comfortable

As the weather gets cooler, arid conditions can make your eyes feel dry and irritated. People who wear contact lenses are especially prone to dry eye, redness and irritation. And those who are having problems with contacts might have to resort to wearing glasses anyway. The lenses in glasses retain moisture near the eyes and can be much more comfortable in the fall and winter.

Glasses can be a fashion statement

Currently, glasses are very popular. They are a great way to accessorize and add color and interest to outfits. Even people who don’t need glasses often wear frames just because they look cool. Glasses are customizable, too. Lenses and frames come in all styles, colors and shapes to complement your face shape or your personality. For ultimate convenience, you can choose transition lenses that get darker when exposed to sunlight so you don’t have to purchase prescription sunglasses (Source: GlassesCrafter).

Ultimately, the decision to wear glasses or contacts is a personal one based on functionality, style and comfort. Talk to your eye doctor to get recommendations on what type of corrective lenses are best for you. You may just receive some insight to help you make your final decision.