Contacts vs. Glasses: A Quick Look at the Pros & Cons

Many of us will eventually need to see an eye doctor about the quality of our vision. At that point, we’ll be faced with an important decision: should we wear contact lenses or glasses? Either option is going to help us see better, but the choice between the two can involve many considerations, ranging from comfort to expense. So how does one make the choice?
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each so that you can make the right choice for your eyes.

Pros of Wearing Contact Lenses:

• Clear sight over your entire field of vision. Because contacts sit on top of the pupil, you benefit from improvements to your peripheral vision¹. This makes them a great choice for people with an active lifestyle, that don’t want to worry about a pair of expensive glasses falling off their face.
• No cosmetic impact. If you don’t want to deal with styling around a new accessory, contacts might be a good choice, because nobody will know that you’re wearing them.
• Better visibility in bad weather. Contacts won’t fog up or get covered in raindrops.
• They’re harder to damage. You’re less likely to accidentally step on or drop your contacts the way you might putting on or taking off a pair of glasses.
   

• Contacts can be expensive. Because contacts have to be replaced at least once a month, the costs can add up quickly.
• You must be diligent about cleaning. Dirty contacts can cause eye infections or irritation¹. This means you can expect to do some additional maintence on your eyewear.
• They can fall out. We’ve all seen someone searching for a lost contact lens. While it might be less likely than dropping your glasses, the recovery process can definitely be a bit more difficult.
• Putting them in can be tough. For people who aren’t used to putting contacts in, the prospect of having to place something over their eyes can be a bit daunting.

• They’re easy! Pick them up and put them on your face—that’s about all that’s required.
• Glasses have a lower risk of infection. Since glases sit on your face, there’s less to worry about when it comes to bacteria and other infections reaching your eyes.
• They’re easy to clean. An occasional wipe with a lint-free cloth and glasses cleaner is usually enough to keep them clear of dirt.
• They’re a fashion statement. Wearing glasses opens up a whole new world of options for your wardrobe. From cat-eye glasses to thick frames, there’s a fashionable option for everyone.
• You can grab them and go. It’s easy to travel with glasses—no need to pack a supply of daily lenses or disinfecting solution.
• There’s less need to replace them. Unlike contacts, you won’t need to get new eyewear unless your prescription changes or your glasses break.
   

• Glasses don’t cover the entire visual field. Your peripheral vision might still be blurry, especially if you have astigmatism².
• They can get damaged. Glasses can get knocked off your face or dropped, damaging the frame or lenses.
• They can be uncomfortable. If you’re not used to having an accessory hanging from your face, the additional weight on your nose or ears might cause some discomfort.
• Lens surfaces collect dust, dirt, and oil. With contacts, your main concern is bacteria on the lens. Glasses face the brunt of whatever debris is in your environment, which can make them more likely to get dirty in some environments. 

1. 1. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/contacts-vs-glasses
   2. https://www.optometrists.org/general-practice-optometry/optical/guide-to-optical-frames/frames/how-to-adjust-to-new-glasses/