This is an age-old debate. Which is the better choice – framed glasses or contact lenses? If you’ve been informed that you require prescription glasses or you need to buy prescription sunglasses, your next decision will likely be selecting between frames and lenses.
Really, this decision is largely based on your personal preferences, so weighing up the pros and cons of both options can be really beneficial when it comes to making your mind up.
In this article we’re going to go over some benefits and disadvantages of both options to help you work out which will click better with your lifestyle.
Glasses – pros
- Frames can be an extension of your personality and complement your fashion choices.
- They don’t require frequent cleaning and there’s no need to touch the eye when you wear them meaning you can avoid eye infections.
- They’re great for computer work – especially if they’re fitted with blue light or anti-glare filters.
- Glasses are a largely cost-effective option as they don’t require frequent replacement.
- Your eyes receive a certain level of protection from the elements with glasses as they provide a barrier.
Glasses – cons
- Depending on the type of frames you wear (colour/style) they can clash with the clothes you wear.
- They’re not a particularly practical choice if you’re an active person – running, cycling or gym classes can be a challenge with frames slipping from your face.
- The dreaded fog – glasses can quickly ‘steam up’ in certain circumstances such as opening the oven door.
- Peripheral vision can become tricky as the frame isn’t flush to the eye and the frame can be a hurdle.
Contact lenses – pros
- Contact lenses provide a practical option for active people.
- There’s no possibility of lenses becoming a barrier to your fashion choices.
- Unlike glasses, lenses fit to the eye and allow for full peripheral vision.
- Lenses don’t tend to fog or become affected by external conditions.
Contact lenses – cons
- Lenses require regular maintenance to ensure they’re clean and to avoid infections.
- It can be tricky to learn how to apply contact lenses and might take practice to get right.
- Those who wear contact lenses can suffer from dry eyes – this is due to the lenses limiting the amount of oxygen that can get to the eye.
- Contact lenses may become an expensive option as they require regular replacement.
How about both?
Many people also opt to use both for different reasons and occasions – this might help take away the headache of being forced to decide between the two!
For instance, if you’re a gym instructor or personal trainer, it may be impractical to wear frames all day while demonstrating exercises. However, when you get home at the end of the day it could feel beneficial to remove your lenses and replace them with a pair of glasses.
We hope this article has given you a clearer understanding of what each option offers you. Ultimately, protecting the health of your eyes is the main objective, so whichever choice suits your sight and eyes the best is the one for you.