Ask an Optician: Which is Better, Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses?

Maybe you just found out you need your first ever vision correction – or maybe you’ve worn glasses for years, and are thinking about contact lenses as an alternative. So you wonder – which is better, glasses or contact lenses? As usual, a very simple question can be very complex, and have a multitude of answers. I’ll try to make this easy for you with some generic Yes, No and Maybe answers.

First off, this is not really an either/or answer. If you need a prescription to adequately perform daily functions such as driving or for your occupation, having a pair of glasses is essential. If you develop an eye infection or lose a contact lens, not having a pair of glasses with a current prescription can lead to negative consequences with your vision and/or economic health.

            CONTACT LENSES ARE GREAT IF YOU:

• Participate in sports
• Have exceptional peripheral vision
• Hate it when glasses steam up or get wet in the rain
• Are very sensitive to the weight of glasses
• Have a higher than average prescription (especially myopia)
• Don’t care for the appearance of glasses on your face

GLASSES MAY BE BETTER IF YOU:

• Have certain medical conditions that preclude contact wear
• Are over 45 and require very sharp vision at distance, intermediate and near
• Are unable to bear the thought of touching your eyes
• Don’t want to invest the time and finances in maintaining contacts
• Have an above average amount of astigmatism
• Are light sensitive
• Suffer from allergies

Every one of the examples above is subject to debate; for example, there are some really great sports frames that work very well, and there are patients who wear progressive power contact lenses that function at a very high level of vision. Often a hybrid system such as glasses for work-week wear and daily disposable contact lenses for sports and/or social events on the weekends works very well for patients.

The point is to work with your eye care practitioner to determine your visual needs, and then design a system that meets all the needs and wants for your busy lifestyle. At better vision care providers, all the staff work together to ensure your complete satisfaction with your eye care solutions.

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