7 Questions About Better Vision: Contact Lenses Versus Glasses

We're here to answer an age-old question: do contact lenses give better vision when compared to glasses? At first, this might seem like an impossible question to answer. After all, some people prefer glasses while others, contacts. So, is it down to personal preference or are there convincing pros and cons that we can discuss?

We've put together a series of questions and answers that we hope might clear this up for you. Contacts have their advantages, as do glasses. And, of course, they both have some disadvantages. Without further ado, let's answer some questions!

Do Contacts Cost More Than Glasses?

This is the question most people have. You'd like to try contacts but you're not so sure about the financial risks. Prices for eyeglasses tend to vary a lot. Depending on your needs, frame preferences and prescription, you’ll likely pay more than $160. Designer frames can cost a few hundred dollars alone. And complex prescriptions can cost over $500. It all starts to add up!

With contacts, determining the price you’ll pay is a bit trickier. The reason being that there are more options and variables involved. Do you want daily disposables or extended wear contacts? As an example, let's have a look at monthly contacts. A box containing 6 pairs of monthly contacts can cost around $30. Multiply by 2 for both your eyes. For 6 months, your vision is assured. Then you’ll renew your order and pay another $60 to last you until the end of the year.

Imagine that your glasses break or get scratched beyond repair. You would have to invest in a new pair and pay the large cost again.. Contacts rarely break, so you can pretty much predict what they’ll cost in the long run.

What’s the Difference in Wearing Glasses Versus Wearing Contacts?

Everyone knows how to wear glasses. They sit on the bridge of your nose and have a counterbalance on the tops of your ears. Simple! In contrast, contacts need to be inserted into your eyes. Some find this thought terrifying. The good thing is, practice makes perfect. The more you put in your contacts, the easier it’ll get.

So eyeglasses sit on your face while contacts sit on your cornea. There is a huge difference in how you wear them. And they each have a different effect on your face.

Do Glasses or Contacts Need More Maintenance?

Glasses are very low maintenance. Similarly, there are daily disposable contacts that need zero maintenance and cleaning. You insert them in the morning and dispose of them at night. Thus, the term “disposable”. But this is where the similarities end.

If you wear glasses, you know that a cloth is more than enough for cleaning off fingerprints and debris. At most, you buy a lens cleaning solution that you might use every once in a while. With most weekly and monthly contacts, though, things get more complex. To avoid possible eye infections, proper contact cleaning discipline is a must.

You need a set schedule to ensure you get the most out of your contacts. You'll have a lens case, which needs replacing every three months. You'll buy the contact lens cleaning solution that matches the lenses. Then, you'll take them out at night, clean them and let them soak in solution overnight. But there are exceptions to these guidelines. You can use extended wear contacts for a few days in a row without having to take them out. Still, even these need to come out at some point for proper cleaning.

Can Contacts Correct My Astigmatism?

Some time ago, people with astigmatism had no other choice than to wear eyeglasses. Soft lenses were only able to help with low levels of astigmatism. At some point, science took a leap forward.

Some people with astigmatism have found daily contact lenses, such as Acuvue Oasys 1 Day with Hydraluxe, work for them. Others rely on specialty soft contacts or rigid gas permeable contact lenses to give them good vision. For others, toric lenses are a good solution. These can correct mild to more advanced astigmatism. If your astigmatism is very bad, you still have options. The optometrist can recommend specialized contact lenses.

Is It Easier to Travel With Contacts or Glasses?

When it comes to traveling, there's a tie between contacts and glasses. A lot of people recommend having both on hand when visiting faraway places. Depending on the situation, you might choose to wear one or the other. If you'll be spending a lot of time near water and sand, daily disposables or glasses are the obvious choices. If you're hiking or participating in outdoor sports, regular contacts can be easier.

What’s the Biggest Drawback of Wearing Glasses Versus Contacts?

The biggest drawback with wearing glasses is having low or no peripheral vision. The distance between your eyes and the actual lenses can distort your view. You need to move your head a lot more to see to the left and right of you. Contacts sit directly on your eye and don’t pose this issue.

For contact lens wearers, the cleaning routine involved can be the biggest struggle. And we all know what happens when you don't keep your lenses clean. Yeah, infection, and nobody wants that! Choosing extended wear contacts or daily disposables can cut down on cleaning time.

Are Glasses and Contacts Recyclable?

A few years back, the answer to this question was not so well defined. We're happy to report that lots of recycling programs have cropped up since. Bausch & Lomb founded their ONE by ONE recycling program. You can send them any brand of contact lenses and rest assured, they’ll recycle your lenses.

Similarly, you can send glasses to organizations such as Saving Sight, New Eyes or VSP Global. They reuse second-hand glasses and donate them to underprivileged people all across the globe.

Does Wearing Glasses Provide Better Vision or Should You Choose Contacts?

With all those questions answered, we hope you have a better idea of what will work best for you. Now it’s a matter of trying both contact lenses and glasses. That way, you can see which option you’re more comfortable with.

Start now by browsing all the types and brands we carry at PerfectLensWorld.