Contact lenses vs glasses - why not both?

When it comes to the battle between contact lenses vs. glasses, the debate mostly boils down to personal preference and lifestyle. If you're on the fence about which to use, you're in luck because there's an obvious third option: both.

Understanding contact lenses 

Contacts come in various styles intended for daily, weekly, or monthly use. Most contacts are made for daytime use, so it's not a pop them in and forget them situation. Trust us — nobody wants to deal with the aftereffects of a night spent in contacts (ouch).

With disposable daily contacts, you toss the old pair and grab new ones each day. Reusable contacts go into a cleaning solution at night so you can use them for a few days or weeks before opening a new pair.

Contacts work well for most common vision problems, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Advantages of contact lenses 

Because contacts go directly in your eyes and are virtually invisible to onlookers, there's no concern about clashing with your favorite tie-dyed romper or having them fly off at an inopportune moment. Contacts also provide whole-eye coverage, including coverage for your peripheral vision.

Disadvantages of contact lenses 

Contacts involve more maintenance than glasses. Sticking anything in your eye can put you at risk of an infection (ouch again), so you need to clean your contacts between uses. Some people find contacts uncomfortable, so this can also be a factor when considering contact lenses vs. glasses. 

The role of glasses in vision correction 

Glasses act as an external vision correction system, which sounds cool and high-tech but simply means that you wear them on your face instead of inserting them into your eyes. You can get glasses with a single prescription across the entire lens or bifocals with a different prescription at the top and bottom. Progressive lenses provide different sections of vision correction across the lens.

Advantages of glasses 

One big advantage of glasses is the ease of use. Maintenance involves just an occasional wipe down of the lens. Glasses also help protect your eyes from dust and debris. Glasses can even be a fashion accessory because you can match frames with everything from formal wear to Hawaiian shirts (which, depending on the event, might be the same thing).

Disadvantages of glasses 

Glasses sit about a half inch from your eyes, limiting coverage in your peripheral vision. In bad weather, glasses could fog up or get coated in raindrops, an obvious problem if you're trying to drive or even simply walk down a sidewalk. If you participate in sports, glasses could slip off and create a distraction at a critical moment. 

Combining contact lenses and glasses 

In an ideal world, you'd only need one type of vision correction that worked perfectly in all situations. Unfortunately, we all live in the real world, so you've got to consider what works best for your lifestyle. Keeping both glasses and contacts on hand gives you the best of both worlds.

When to use each 

Building up your skills for the big game? It's the perfect time for contact lenses. You might also want to slip in contacts for special events where you don't want to deal with the hassle of glasses.

If you're stuck in front of a screen all day, whether for work or because you need to catch the latest group chat gossip right when it happens, glasses might be the better option. Glasses can also give your eyes a rest if you notice eye irritation.

Transitioning between contacts and glasses 

Having prescriptions for both contacts and glasses makes it easy to keep both on hand. Talk to your eye care professional about contacts vs. glasses and whether using both is an option for you.

Considerations for both contact lenses and glasses 

Check with your insurance plan to see whether both contacts and glasses are covered or if you need to choose between the two. 

Regular eye exams ensure that you have up-to-date prescriptions for contacts and glasses. Make sure to mention any signs of eye strain or discomfort you've been experiencing.

There are plenty of reasons to use both contact lenses and glasses, and your eye care professional can offer personalized advice. 

Once you've got your prescription for glasses, check out the available styles at The Framery by 1-800 Contacts to find the perfect pair for you.

 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Can switching between glasses and contacts harm your eyes? 

Switching between glasses and contacts doesn't cause eye damage, and adapting your choice of vision correction to specific activities can enhance eye comfort.

How do you know if contacts or glasses are better for you? 

Talking to an eye care professional is the only way to know whether glasses, contacts, or a combination of the two is a better option for you.

How often should I have my eyes checked if I use both? 

No matter what type of vision correction you use, you should have your eyes checked once a year. This ensures you have an up-to-date prescription for both contacts and glasses.