Contact Lenses or Glasses - Which is best for you?

Contact lenses or glasses, a question that If you don't have 20/20 vision you’ve probably asked yourself. Here at Pinder’s, our main focus is being there for our patients, providing the relevant information so you can make your own informed decisions. We like to think of our Pinder People as a second family so we are here to help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of both contact lenses and glasses. At the end of the day however, it’s all about personal preference and there are many factors to consider when making your decision.

It’s best to think of the whole picture first rather than one small piece. You might be thinking - I’ll choose glasses - but are you asking yourself if glasses work for your; lifestyle, budget, aesthetics, etc? If you decide you want the latest Gucci frames, we can help you choose the best frames for you, but does Gucci work with the weekly bike rides you do with your cycling club?

Before we look at the pros and cons for each option, it’s also important to note that:

1. This is not a final decision; you can always change your mind at later date. There is no set timeframe or age for using either option.

2. One is not necessarily better than the other in terms of vision, eye health and how easy they are to use as they are both medically approved to use.

3. You don’t have to choose one or the other, you can use both if that’s what you find works best.

 

So, keeping this in mind, let’s look at the pros and cons lists!

 

 

CONTACT LENSES - PROS AND CONS

Pros

1. Contacts fit to the curvature of your eye, which provides a wider field of view & causes less vision distortions or obstructions.

2. Contact lenses don't get in the way when playing sports & exercising.

3. Contact lenses won't clash with anything you're wearing.

4. Contacts won't fog up in cold weather.

5. You can experiment with different coloured contact lenses.

6. Some contact lenses can reshape your cornea while you sleep. Overnight orthokeratology (Ortho-k) temporarily corrects myopia, so you can see clearly the next day without the need for glasses or contacts. 

Cons

1. Some people may have trouble inserting a contact lens to their eye but proper technique & practice should resolve this.

2. Contacts can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching your eye which may cause or increase the severity of dry eye syndrome.

3. If you spend an excessive amount of time using digital screens, wearing contact lenses could cause symptoms of digital eye strain

4. Contacts require proper lens care & lens case cleaning each day, to avoid eye infections.

5. If you accidentally fall asleep while wearing contacts your eyes might feel dry or gritty and become irritated

GLASSES – PROS AND CONS

Pros

1. Frames are fashionable and are a great way to showcase your personality and style.

2. Wearing glasses reduces the need to touch your eyes, reducing the chances of irritating your eyes or eye infections.

3. If you have dry or sensitive eyes, glasses won't add to the problem.

4. Glasses come in a variety of prices so are generally cheaper in the long term.

5. Glasses offer some protection from environmental factors such as wind and dust.

6. A tint and UV protection can be added to the lenses.

Cons

1. Glasses sit about half an inch from your eyes, so peripheral vision can be distorted at times. Some people may have difficulty focusing on objects when they first start wearing glasses/change prescription.

2. Some people don't like wearing glasses.

3. If you have a strong prescription, the edges of your lenses may be thicker, or your glasses might make your eyes appear unnaturally minified/magnified.

4. Glasses can be affected by environmental elements such as fog and rain.

5. Some frames may initially cause pressure on your nose and behind your ears leading to mild discomfort.

 

We hope these comparisons have been insightful and will help you when making a decision between contact lenses or glasses.

 

For more information please call or book an appointment with one of our experienced optometrists who will be happy to help you further. As always, we are here for you!