If your eyesight is less than 20/20 and you need help to see clearly and comfortably, when deciding whether to go for glasses or contact lenses, it’s best to remember that neither choice is superior to the other. Each one offers their own set of advantages and disadvantages so it’s completely up to you to decide which fits your lifestyle, aesthetic, and budget more. Abernethy Owens  have a team of highly trained Optometrists ready to look after your eye health. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both glasses and contacts to help you decide which might be the better option for you.

Lifestyle

When choosing your eye wear, it’s important consider the activities that you participate in on a regular basis.

  • Do you live an active lifestyle?
  • Does your job ask that you wear protective eyewear?
  • Do you enjoy spending time outdoors?
  • Do you spend a lot of time in front of the computer?

Answering these questions will help you decide which option is better for you.

Contacts allow wearers to feel as though they no longer suffer from a vision impairment. Without the weight of the frames, you are free to move around without worrying that your glasses will fall off.

Glasses are often seen as a more versatile  choice for people who stare at a computer screen often as prolonged screen usage can lead to increased eye strain and eye dryness. Same goes for people with allergies or unusual eye irritations—glasses are often the better choice. Less obstructive than glasses, contacts won’t interfere with safety gear such as helmets, caps and goggles and for keen athletes and active individuals who enjoy playing sports, contact lenses offer the most efficient solution for eyewear. For those who live an active lifestyle, contact lenses are most certainly more ideal than glasses.

 

Aesthetics

When it comes to style, both glasses and contacts can be effective in showing off your personality. Eyeglasses can be seen as a trendy fashion item, with many high end and designer clothing brands even launching their own eyewear collections. Most people will tend to only have one or two pairs of glasses at a time so if you're somebody who likes to switch up your style, you may enjoy the freedom of contact lenses. For those who are out and about enjoying the WA sunshine, pairing contact lenses with a good pair of non-prescription sunglasses is a great way to change up your style to match the occasion.

Maintenance

Glasses require little maintenance and generally a simple wipe with a soft microfiber cloth is all it takes to keep them clean but you do need to take care when removing them to put them into a hardcover case to prevent scratching. Contact lenses don’t scratch as glasses can with wear and tear, however to maintain optimal comfort and eye health, you still need to treat them with care. They need to be cleaned and changed regularly. Removing your lenses every night to disinfect them and remove protein deposits is extremely important for both cleanliness and comfort.

Cost

Whether glasses or contact lenses will be more cost effective will very much depend on your individual prescription and wearing needs. The cost of glasses will vary depending on the type and style of frame chosen as well as the complexity of the prescription lenses that you need. With contact lenses you will need to consider the cost of the lenses themselves, any cleaning or disinfecting solutions and the fitting process. Remember that if you do become a contact lens wearer you will need to ensure you have a good back-up pair of spectacles that you can wear if you need to stop contact lens wear for any reason. You can find out more information about the costs involved by speaking to one of our friendly team.

This is just a few of the differences and pros and cons of glasses and contact lenses, hopefully you can now make an informed decision about which is best for you. You might even use a combination! The key is to find the perfect fit for your vision and comfort. At Abernethy Owens, our team of dedicated Optometrists are here to help with all your eye care needs. For professional service and advice, visit one of our 5 conveniently located practices or book an appointment online now.