Contact Lenses Vs. Eyeglasses: What Are The Pros And Cons?

There are many different types of corrective lenses available to consumers, but perhaps the most common forms are eyeglasses and contact lenses. People have been wearing these two types of eyewear for quite some time, dating back to at least the 11 century.

The purpose of corrective lenses is to restore or improve impaired vision so that a person can see more clearly. The most common types of vision conditions that can be corrected with eyeglasses and contact lenses include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, even though they are both designed for the same purpose (helping people see), there are some considerable differences between them. In this article, we will be taking a look at the pros and cons of both eyeglasses and contact lenses, as well as what makes them different from one another.

Affordability

When it comes to differences between contact lenses and eyeglasses, affordability can be one of the most important factors. Of course, this is relative to the individual’s income as well as what he or she needs in terms of corrective vision. Contacts tend to be slightly more expensive than eyeglasses for a variety of reasons even though contacts offer greater convenience with general wear and tear on your eyes. However, many optometrists are providing access to contact lenses at a very good price as a means of promoting their services. In addition to this, those who wear contacts can usually purchase a multipack as opposed to having to buy them one by one as the prescriptions for each lens may be slightly different from one another.

On the other hand, eyeglasses tend to be a little cheaper due to them being more generic in their use. In other words, there is no need for a specific prescription for someone to wear a pair of glasses since these can be used without corrective lenses inserted into the frames. However, many people find that eyeglasses are not as comfortable or fashionable as contact lenses, making it necessary to keep this in mind when deciding which type of vision correction device will benefit you the most.

Appearance

The first difference between the two types of corrective lenses is their appearance, specifically what you see when someone is wearing them. When people wear eyeglasses, their entire face can be seen clearly because there are no obstructions, except for the frame. This means that if it is a noticeable frame, then other people may have an idea that they’re wearing glasses even if they cannot tell exactly what type of correction they need. On the other hand, when someone wears contact lenses, only their eyes are visible unless they happen to be looking at you with a direct gaze.

This makes it virtually impossible to determine whether or not they are wearing any corrective vision devices without being able to see either their eyes or holding both in your hands. Contact lenses are also more likely to be worn at all times as some people feel that they look better and more natural, whereas eyeglasses may not always be comfortable or possible.

Comfort

Another difference between contact lenses and eyeglasses is their level of comfort, which can depend on several factors such as the type of corrective lens, how it is applied, and whether or not a person has sensitive skin. In general, corrective lenses that are worn daily tend to cause less irritation because there is no need for them to have a long-term effect on your eyesight. However, contacts usually take some time to get used to especially if you just got them to put in within the last couple of hours or days. Some optometrists have prescriptions that are slightly different from one another, meaning that you might have to go back a couple of times if they feel uncomfortable.

On the other hand, eyeglasses tend to fit better since there is more room for error and it may not be as noticeable even if they do not sit correctly on your face. Similarly, those who wear eyeglasses can adjust them easily as needed without having to worry about losing their contacts during the process.

Handling

Another considerable difference between contact lenses and eyeglasses has everything to do with handling specific tasks like riding a bike or playing certain sports. Although both corrective lenses can easily be taken off and placed back in as needed, contact lenses might be a little more difficult for some to handle. This is because contacts tend to move around inside the eyes at times, making it necessary to blink now and then for them not to fall out. In contrast, eyeglasses are less likely to be shifted or moved around as they sit on top of your face without much movement involved.

Because of this difference, those who wear contact lenses might need someone with them during activities that could cause their vision correction device to spontaneously fly off their eyes if they were to attempt these tasks alone. However, nothing is stopping you from wearing both corrective types at once with special clip-on lenses designed specifically for eyeglasses.

In the end, both contact lenses and eyeglasses have their own unique set of pros and cons that should be considered before making a decision. Before you take this leap, it is important to understand exactly what you are getting yourself into. For more information on either corrective device, feel free to contact your local optometrist and visit the website of an optical store near you to learn about their most recent offers, discounts, and sales.