Contacts Vs. Glasses: The Pros and Cons

Any person with impaired vision knows that navigating through the world with compromised vision can be frustrating, at best. From driving a car to making your way around the furniture in your own home, unclear or blurry eyesight can make even the simplest tasks challenging. But, when you discover that you need vision correction, more often than not, you may ask yourself, “ Contacts or glasses?” So, we did the research for you to help you understand the pros and cons of each option.

First and foremost, it is important to understand your lifestyle. Things worth considering when making your choice include, but are not limited to: how much physical activity you exert each day, your occupation and willingness to clean (potentially, multiple times each day).

Let’s start off with glasses. They are definitely the lower maintenance, safer option. Unlike contacts, glasses don’t require that anything touch your eyeball, which not only cuts down on your chances of eye injuries, but also reduces your risk of eye infections. In fact, having the extra barrier can actually help protect your eyes from external debris getting into them. In addition, glasses work for any age or prescription, and tend to be cheaper than contacts. On top of that, they come in a variety of styles, and can be found  anywhere. However, there are certainly a few limitations. For starters, although they are available for any age, most parents will find that glasses typically only comes in two sizes and limited styles. In addition, many glasses wearers experience outer edge vision distortion because glasses don’t cover the entire lens of your eye like a contact would. On a similar note, depending on your tactile sensitivities, some eyeglass wearers might experience discomfort caused by weight and fit issues. And, lastly, glasses are much more susceptible to weather-related inconveniences such as fogging up in the cold or collecting water when it rains. 

Contacts, on the other hand, are great for all the reasons that glasses aren’t. They provide a much better coverage of the actual lens that moves with the eye, resulting in more natural vision. You won’t have to worry about the weather being an issue and, if you lead an active lifestyle, you won’t have to fear your contacts sliding down your face or breaking during sports or other physically intense activities. However, there are some serious drawbacks to contacts, as well. Firstly, according to the ACA, most eye doctors don’t recommend contacts before the age of 10. So, if your young child needs the vision care, glasses are the recommended option until they reach that age. Contacts also require a generous amount of care in regards to cleaning and storing them. If not properly taken care of, they generate a much higher risk of injury and infection than their external counterparts. They also tend to be more expensive and can cause uncomfortable side effects like eye dryness, irritation, and redness for sensitive eyes.  Given all of this, most doctors will recommend you have a pair of back-up glasses just in case. 

To ensure that you understand what eye condition you have and which option is best for you, make sure you visit an eye doctor regularly. It's important for your health and, as we near the end of the year, timely to take advantage of the annual check-up included in most insurance plans! 

Think you or your child might need glasses? Check out our article 8 Signs Your Child Needs Glasses to see the most common symptoms and visit fitzframes.com to learn more about how Fitz is revolutionizing the world of eyewear for kids and adults alike.

-The Fitz Team