Eyeglasses or Contact Lenses?

Patients always ask which is better, eyeglasses or contact lenses?

There is no straight right answer to the question which is better, eyeglasses or contact lenses? Both are great vision equipment and they both have benefits that outweigh any possible disadvantage. In this post, we will look at five different features and declare a better with 2 points or undecided with 1 point for each feature. In the end, we calculate the total and disclose the answer to the question everyone asks.

• Maintenance, Cleaning, Disinfecting, ease of use: (2 points for Eyeglasses)

Eyeglasses are easy to wear, easy to take off, and need minimum maintenance, cleaning, and disinfection. Whereas, contact lenses are more difficult to wear especially for new wearers, need a lot more maintenance, and can only be put on healthy eyes.

• Quality of vision: (1 point for each)

Eyeglasses provide excellent quality of vision they are available in all powers, however high power ophthalmic lenses produce distortions and aberration at the periphery and lateral vision. Contact lenses may not provide the same quality of vision for low powers but they certainly provide better quality for high powers. What specialty contact lenses correct eyeglasses cannot (keratoconus, Schleral,…). When it comes to UV and photochromic options we find them in both, with the exception that sunglasses provide UV protection to the whole orbital surface.

• Progressives and presbyopia: (1 point each)

Progressive contact lenses -if ever powers are available- are easier to adapt and more comfortable in movement in lateral and upward near vision than eyeglasses. NB: prism correction is not possible in contact lenses and not all diopters are available like toric progressive contact lenses.

• Sports and outdoor lifestyle: (2 points for Contact lenses)

No doubt, contact lenses are better for outdoor activities, swimming, and sports. They are safe and provide much more freedom than eyeglasses.

• Better looking, Fashion, and style: (1 point each)

The opinions will split on this one. Some prefer not wearing eyeglasses, others may prefer eyeglasses for the fashionable look they provide. Cosmetic colored contact lenses are also considered fashion accessories even in Plano.

When looking at those five features both eyeglasses and contact lenses accounted for 6 points. However, if we ask the question: If you had to wear only one piece of equipment? What would you shoes?

In all cases, when it comes to choosing only one piece of equipment, that would certainly be eyeglasses. Because you cannot have contact lenses without having spare eyeglasses. In case of an allergy or eye infection and when you cannot wear contact lenses, you are going to need your spare glasses.

To conclude, putting aside the price difference between eyeglasses and contact lenses -especially because eyeglasses’ prices include a wide range – the best answer is to have both.