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Reviewed by Dr Melissa Yuen.
Do you wear eyeglasses? Have you ever considered trying contact lenses? You might consider the benefits and drawbacks of contacts versus glasses! There are many misconceptions about contact lenses that prevent glass wearers from giving them a chance. However, contact lenses satisfy many people who require flexible vision correction.
For a long time, wearing contact lenses was only possible if your prescription was relatively simple. Today, patients with considerable astigmatism correction can wear contacts comfortably and be assured of good vision.
Similarly, customers requiring extra correction for reading distances were once resigned to correcting their distance vision only and carrying reading glasses in their pocket, on their head or hanging from a chain. Modern multifocal contact lenses are now a great option. However, your vision can be compromised slightly depending on the type of activity since the lens incorporates both distance and near correction.
To help you understand the advantages of contacts vs glasses, discover the unique benefits of these low-profile devices.
Why should you try contact lenses?
Contact lenses are a very useful device for those who require vision correction. Many contact lens wearers enjoy their comfort and discretion. However, it is important to note that if someone has improper hygiene or overuses contacts, this may lead to eye infection or reduced breathability for your cornea. For this reason, having a pair of up-to-date glasses is always required. But you can be assured that under the supervision of your eye care professional, wearing contact lenses is safe. Contacts have evolved to adapt to your eyes’ needs and comfort.
A contact lens fitting will ensure the appropriate lenses have been chosen for your eye’s unique shape and give you the chance to try out various brands and experience what the world will look like through your new contact lens prescription. It also allows your eye doctor to assess the movement of the lens on your eye. Get in touch with an eye professional if you want more information on eye health and your unique needs.
Choose the right fitting
Your cornea (the clear, domed window at the front of your eye) is the only part of your body that does not receive its oxygen from blood supply—but from the air surrounding it. When a lens is placed directly onto the cornea, the oxygen supply will be diminished to some extent.
Modern lens materials, such as Silicon Hydrogel, allow for some oxygen permeation through them. But even the most oxygen-permeable lenses could suffocate the cornea if the fit of the lenses is too tight. A tight-fitting lens may not be noticed by the wearer but could lead to complications such as edema or a corneal ulcer. A loose lens may not only feel like a perpetual eyelash stuck in your eye but could cause mechanical abrasion and complications.
Your eye care professional will verify the lenses while on your eyes to ensure adequate lens movement and oxygen supply. After they have verified your lenses to be safe, you are entitled to a record of those measurements if you have paid for a contact lens fitting.
Contacts versus glasses: Choose your preference
Now that you know that there are almost certainly options for your prescription and the process you go through to ensure your eye’s health, let’s explore some unique specifics that explain the advantages of contacts vs glasses.
Affordability
Contact lenses are now offered at affordable prices. New technologies have enhanced their performance, comfort, and safety. Glasses, on the other hand, have the inconvenience of being more fragile. Therefore, contacts can be an interesting alternative or backup plan for those who are looking for an affordable option!
If you’re looking for a brand that creates a unique combination of affordability and quality, consider everclear contacts. This special brand guarantees an optimal oxygen flow, thanks to its use of silicone hydrogel, and offers great eye comfort, at affordable prices.
Fit for sports
Are you tired of fitting a full-face hockey mask or motorcycle helmet onto your head while wearing your glasses? Not to mention the sweat on your lenses and pads… Playing sports with a clear vision and optimal eye comfort is now totally possible!
And if your sport of choice involves a lot of exertion, contact lenses won’t fog up during strenuous exercise as eyeglass lenses can sometimes do.
Accommodate to a variety of vision needs
Nowadays, contact lenses can correct most vision issues. Even people with high amounts of astigmatism can be corrected with contact lenses, which was not always the case.
If you’re over the age of 40 and need help with reading (presbyopia), there are multifocal contacts to accommodate your vision needs. You no longer have to rely on contacts for merely distance vision while switching to reading glasses for near vision. You can talk to your eye care professional about multifocal contact lenses.
Easy to maintain
Contact lens wearers will all confirm that contacts make a real difference. In addition to their smaller footprint, contact lenses don’t scratch as glasses do with wear and tear. Which makes them less susceptible to reducing your visual acuity.
Even so, to maintain optimal comfort with your contact lenses, you still need to treat them with love. They need to be cleaned and changed regularly. Removing your lenses every night to disinfect them and remove protein deposits is important for both cleanliness and comfort. Unless you have been fitted with extended wear contacts that you can wear overnight and your eye care professional has informed you your eyes are healthy enough to do this.
Always make sure you replace your lenses according to your eye doctor’s instructions, whether they’re meant to be changed every month, two weeks or every day. One-day lenses do not mean you can spend a couple hours at the gym. Take them out and reuse them the next workout for 12 days. One-day contact lenses are intended for single use, and they’re not meant to be cleaned.
Daily disposable contacts are the healthiest option—they ensure your eyes have a fresh, clean lens every day, so you don’t need to worry about protein buildup or bacteria. And they don’t require any care.
A fun way to change your look
Coloured contact lenses can bring some brightness to your day and add an eccentric dash to your style! If you want to change up your eye colour for a night out, or just feel like making a splash, coloured lenses can be a great option for those with single vision prescriptions. Coloured contacts should be fitted by a professional regardless of whether a correction is needed or not.
You could either choose a natural tint or a flashy, distinct colour. A fitting will also allow you to test which colours look best on you; many people with darker eyes will see no change if they wear a lighter colour lens like blue or green. Consider Air Optix Colors for a genuine look or Splash of Colour for a radical change.
Read more: Guide to coloured contact lenses
No need for prescription sunglasses
Contact lenses allow you the freedom of not needing to carry prescription sunglasses along with your clear glasses. You can bring one set of non-prescription sunglasses with you and have them on and off as needed without the hassle of switching between glasses and sunglasses. Easy, right? Many brands of contact lens feature built-in UV protection as well as vision correction for additional peace of mind.
UV blocking contacts are not meant to replace sunglasses, as they do not block 100% of UV rays and they do not cover the entire eye or the delicate tissue surrounding it. UV protection sunglasses are still necessary for the best coverage and protection (not to mention style).
Eye comfort
Once you’ve learned how to put in contact lenses, and how to comfortably insert and remove them, you can enjoy their convenience. Your eye care professional will help you decide which contacts will guarantee optimal comfort for your eyes, whether it’s soft contacts or RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) lenses.
Comfort at work
Note that contacts could be uncomfortable if you have dry eyes or if you work in an air-conditioned office. You can first learn how to treat dry eyes by keeping healthy habits. Certain contact lenses have a special design for office use and can help reduce eye strain during busy days at work. Eye drops are also something that all contact lens wearers should have on hand.
Also, if you work in front of a computer all day and wear contacts, remember to blink often. Practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away from your monitor and focus on something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Your eyes will thank you for it.
Read more: Reduce digital eye strain with five simple steps
Discretion
Not comfortable wearing glasses? Get a clear vision for your prescription with a discrete look wearing contacts.
This is a bonus for glasses wearers who have a high prescription, as you need not worry about thick lenses with contacts. A high prescription in the form of a contact lens isn’t visible when compared to glasses. Plus, it does away with much of the curvature and distortion that you may experience with high prescription eyeglasses.
Keep your peripheral vision clear
With contact lenses, your field of vision isn’t restricted to the limitations of your glasses frame. You can step out and see your world clearly from side to side, without the peripheral barrier of a bulky frame. With proper contact lens wear, you can enjoy a much wider field of vision.
Interested to experience contact lenses?
The best option is to discuss it with your eye doctor to decide the ideal solution is for you. Eyeglasses will still be needed 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’ll always be a good supplement to contact lenses and vice versa.
The pros and cons of contacts vs glasses could be discussed for a long time. What’s important though is for you to find the perfect match for your vision and comfort. We offer a large variety of contact lens wear for all kinds of vision issues. Shop online with Clearly and get your next pair of affordable contacts. You’ll see the world from a new perspective.
- Types of contact lenses
- What are the best contact lens brands?
- Your ultimate guide to proper contact lens care
- 5 reasons to upgrade or change your contact lenses
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