Contact lenses are a popular alternative to glasses. But are they the right form of vision correction for you? This post explores some of the pros and cons of switching to contacts.
The Pros
They’re better for sports
In certain sports, there could be a risk of glasses falling off or getting damaged. Contact lenses can be a more suitable option when practising these sports, allowing you to still see clearly. Sports glasses do exist, but may still not be suitable for some sports like boxing or rugby.
You can wear sunglasses with them
A benefit of wearing contact lenses is that you can also wear sunglasses. When wearing glasses, you may have to choose between your glasses and your shades. Admittedly, you can buy prescription sunglasses online in a variety of styles. However, wearing contacts could give you freedom to put on any pair of sunglasses.
They don’t fog up
One of the biggest frustrations of glasses is that they can fog up in certain climates and temperatures. Contact lenses on the other hand do not fog up – they’re more suitable for wearing with a face mask or wearing in a heated outdoor pool.
They don’t get glare
Glasses are also prone to glare while looking at screens or driving. This can negatively affect one’s vision and lead to headaches. While you can buy anti-glare glasses, wearing contact lenses is another solution to this.
The Cons
They can cost more
While the average pair of glasses isn’t cheap, you’re likely to spend more on contact lenses in the long run. This is particularly the case with daily contact lenses. Those on a tight budget may be better off sticking to glasses.
They take practise to put in/take out
Putting contact lenses in your eyes can take some practice. It could be quite time-consuming at first compared to simply putting on a pair of glasses. Some people don’t like touching their eyeballs and so find it difficult to use contact lenses.
You can’t rub your eyes
If you accidentally rub your eyes, you may risk dislodging your contact lenses. This can be an issue if you are tired or if you suffer from allergies. When wearing glasses, you don’t have to worry about this.
They can cause irritation
While modern contact lenses are designed to cause as little irritation as possible, it is still possible to get a bad pair of contact lenses that are damaged or misshapen, which could injure your eye. Wearing contact lenses for extended periods can also cause dry eyes. Sticking to glasses can prevent this, however it does come with its own problems such as eye strain from glare.
Switching from glasses to contact lenses could be worthwhile in certain situations such as playing sports, driving at night or days when you want to wear sunglasses – although you can buy specialist glasses in all cases. It can provide more flexibility when it comes to activities.
You may want to say no to contact lenses if you are trying to save money or if you have a phobia of putting things in your eye. Glasses may also be a better option for those that regularly suffer with eye issues like conjunctivitis.
Ben is a fitness enthusiast, corporate wellness speaker and entrepreneur based in London. He has a successful track record in the wellness industry in the United Kingdom and in Canada.