Glasses are more practical, cheaper, and healthier for kids, but they could interfere with activities and reduce peripheral vision. Contact lenses give a wide range of vision, are practically undetectable, and can be worn anywhere, but they can also be challenging to insert, require upkeep, and cause dry eyes.
If you can afford it, having both contacts and glasses will offer you the option to select which to wear and when. Which is best for you typically comes down to personal preference. Astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness are a few of the eye problems that can be addressed with contacts and glasses in order to improve vision.
Even though in these situations glasses are frequently worn, contacts have long been hailed as a practical substitute.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses, which are tiny, curved pieces of plastic, directly cover the cornea. There are stiff and soft contact lenses; however, soft lenses are more popular. Almost 45 million people in the United States wear soft lenses, which account for 90% of all contact lens wearers.
Types of Contact Lenses
The two main types of contact lenses must be known are:
Soft Contact Lenses
Soft contact lenses, which can absorb moisture and adapt to the shape of your eye, are made of flexible and soft polymers. They are larger than hard contact lenses and may easily cover your eyes. Compared to hard lenses, which are smaller and more prone to dropping out of your eye, they have a size advantage.
Hard Contact Lenses
RGP (rigid gas-permeable) lenses are a type of hard contact lens, as are normal hard lenses (PMMA). For those whose corneas are unevenly shaped, these lenses offer crisper vision. These are, nevertheless, the sort of contact lenses that are the most painful. Dryness is brought on by a reduction in oxygen reaching your eye. However compared to PMMA lenses, RGP is less prone to induce dryness.
Pros of Contact Lenses
Have a look at the advantages of using contacts below:
Undetectable
It is impossible for someone to see that you are wearing contacts especially if they match your natural eye color or are translucent. Because contact lenses move with your eye and have no visual limitations, they provide the wearer a more natural experience.
Suitable for Active People
Those who lead very active lives find that contacts make their lives easier. Unlike glasses, you can wear them while exercising and participating in sports.
Encompassing Vision
Your eye's curvature is taken into account while designing contact lenses. This increases the wearer's field of vision and lessens any rare distortions.
No need for Removal Anytime
Contacts can be worn at all times and you do not need to worry about fogging, cold, dust, or other environmental problems.
Cons of Contact Lenses
Some limitations of contact lenses include:
Maintenance Difficulty
It's essential to use extra caution when caring for contacts on a daily basis to prevent infections. The majority of contact lens varieties require daily cleaning, proper handling, and storage in order to avoid eye infections.
When contacts are handled improperly, bacteria may enter the eye, causing issues including corneal abrasions and neovascularization, which results in the development of new blood vessels in the cornea and causes eye redness.
Insertion Problem
Some people, especially those using contacts for the first time, may find it challenging to insert contacts into their eyes. It could be uncomfortable for those who are easily offended to put their contacts in.
Can be Costly
Contact lenses must be updated frequently, making them more expensive than glasses in the long run.
May Cause Irritation to Your Eyes
Some people’s eyes become dry when they wear contact lenses. While eye drops may assist with this, having to apply them every time you put on a contact lens is bothersome. Overuse of contact lenses may result in intolerance due to grittiness or dryness sensations.
Glasses
A frame, glass or plastic lenses, and lenses make up the majority of eyeglasses. Nearsightedness is generally treated using concave lenses, whereas farsightedness is typically treated with convex lenses. Moreover, it could resemble a cylinder, which is how astigmatism is treated.
Pros of Glasses
Glasses have many benefits:
Ease of Use
The shape of glasses makes them easy to use, especially for small children. Just place them on your face so that they lie on your ears and nose.
Cost-Effective
Prescription glasses can be pricey depending on the frames, lenses, and additional accessories you select. However, after years of use, they typically don't need to be replaced. You can also choose less expensive options for the lenses and frames if you have a limited budget.
Easy Maintenance
To keep your glasses in good shape, all you need to do is give the lenses the occasional wipe and put them in a case when not in use. They don't need any special upkeep to continue working for you.
Cons of Glasses
Some of the problems with glasses are:
Not Convenient to Wear
Some people find it difficult to wear their glasses on a daily basis, particularly those who lead active lifestyles or participate in a lot of sports. Since they can become cloudy and wet, spectacles can be uncomfortable to wear in cold or wet conditions.
May Obstruct Peripheral Vision
Some people claim that when they start wearing glasses, their eyesight becomes fuzzy or that they have trouble focusing on things. This is due to the fact that glasses, unlike contacts, can impair your peripheral vision. This can be bothersome initially but in some situations adjusts over time.
Bulkiness
Since they require thicker lenses and sturdier frames to support the lens, people with very strong prescriptions may find their glasses to be cumbersome and occasionally unsightly.
It is not always required to decide whether to wear glasses or contacts. Having both allows you to swap back and forth as needed or when it is most convenient for you. While wearing contacts and glasses is an option for some, you should balance the benefits and drawbacks of each to choose which is best for you.