If your vision isn’t perfect but your eyes are still healthy, you have a significant decision to make between contact lenses and glasses to improve your eyesight. While they both perform the same function, your choice depends on your personal and lifestyle preferences. In this article, we’ll be giving you everything you need to know about contacts and glasses to aid you in making your choice.
Glasses
There are two different types of glasses. Single-vision eyeglasses correct distance problems, while multifocal glasses correct near-vision and distance problems, such as reading. Multifocal glasses come in several forms:
- Bifocals: These types of lenses have a correction on their lower half for reading and their upper half for distance.
- Trifocals: These types of lenses have three areas. There’s the bottom half for reading, the top for distance, and a third part in between both halves for middle vision.
- Progressive Lenses: These types of lenses are trifocals and bifocals without any dividing line.
Eyeglasses used to be manufactured from actual glass. However, now, many are made from plastic. This is because plastic lenses tend to be lighter and can be coated to safeguard your eyes.
Pros
- Glasses are easy to use, and don’t require much care or a unique cleaning solution
- There are a range of frames to pick from to suit your style
- Glasses can be easily worn and taken off whenever and wherever you want
Cons
- They can often distort your vision, particularly at the corners of the lenses if you have astigmatism or a strong prescription
- The pressure of the glasses on your ears and nose can be uncomfortable for various individuals
- Depending on your frame choice, it could be difficult to see the far sides of your vision
- They aren’t ideal for sports
- Many individuals also find it difficult to adapt to progressive Lenses. This could lead to side effects like headaches
Contact Lenses
Contacts are thin discs of glass or plastic that are placed directly on the eye to improve eyesight. There are two types of contacts: soft and hard. Soft contacts are more popular because they are quite comfortable compared to hard contacts. However, hard contact lenses last longer than their soft counterparts. And although they are quite uncomfortable, they are easier to care for and are often the best for conditions such as astigmatism.
Pros
- Unlike eyeglasses, nothing obstructs your vision
- When it’s rainy or cold, they don’t get wet or fog up
- They are also perfect for sports
- Coloured contact lenses are also perfect for aesthetics
Cons
- They often need more care compared to glasses. You must store and clean them the ideal way, or else you risk the chance of getting major eye infections
- If you are suffering from serious astigmatism, your vision may be blurred as the lenses rotate. Toric contact lenses, a type specifically for astigmatism, have less chance of moving around, but they are more expensive
- Wearing contacts can be quite difficult for first-timers
Glasses and contact lenses aid in improving eyesight, and each has its pros and cons. Before making a decision, users may have to consider hobbies, budgets, and lifestyles. Alternatively, you may even choose to alternate between contacts and glasses, although this is a more expensive option.