How to Choose Between Glasses and Contacts

You’ve experienced a change in your eyesight. It’s time for glasses or contacts. During your eye exam at Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, in Jacksonville, Florida, your Wolchok ophthalmologist performs several tests to ensure your eyes are healthy. Your doctor tests your vision and provides the correct prescription for glasses or contacts. 

If you need eyeglasses or contacts, you have many options from which to choose. Your choice depends upon your lifestyle, habits, and perhaps cost. Are you someone who may be absent-minded about where you put things you need, like your house keys? 

Glasses are easy to misplace or leave on a table in a restaurant. Perhaps contacts are a better choice for you. On the other hand, eyeglasses are usually less expensive than contacts in the long run. 

Some pros and cons of glasses and contacts to consider in making a decision include the following:

Advantages of glasses

Glasses are easy to take care of. You don’t need to buy and use sterile cleaning solutions. Eyeglasses today come in many styles and colors. You can make them a fashion accessory. 

You may be able to wear your prescription for a long time, meaning glasses are often less expensive than contacts. If cost is a consideration, you may prefer glasses. 

If you have trouble seeing nearby objects and objects in the distance, you may love progressive lenses, which help to see far, intermediate, and nearby ranges. Also, you don’t need to touch your eyes with glasses, so you limit the risk of eye infections. 

Disadvantages of glasses

If you sometimes lose track of items, you might lose your glasses and have to order another pair, entailing an extra expense. You might not find a style of glasses that you think aids your attractiveness. If you play sports or engage in other vigorous physical activity, your eyeglass lenses can fog up during periods of exertion, impairing your vision temporarily. 

Advantages of contacts 

You may have tried glasses but don’t like how you look in them. Contacts aren’t visible to others. Your eyes are unobstructed when an intimate partner is with you. In addition, the frames of your glasses don’t obstruct your peripheral vision. 

When your contacts are in your eyes, you’re set for the day, which relieves you from worrying about misplacing your glasses. 

Nine in ten people who wear contacts choose soft lenses. You may have daily disposable lenses; you can toss them at night and forget about them. Hard and soft contact lenses can correct your ability to see near and far objects. 

You have an extra advantage if you’re in the 5% of contact wearers who use extended-wear contacts. You only need to take out these contacts at least once a week, cutting down the time you spend on maintenance and cleaning. 

Disadvantages of contacts

It is necessary to replace contact lenses. If you have soft daily-wear lenses, you should replace them every day, every week or two, or every month. Track how often you need to replace the contacts; you shouldn’t wear them past their expiration date, as noted on the box they came in. Buy daily-wear contact lenses in bulk so you don’t run out when they need replacing. 

Unless you have daily disposable contacts, you should commit to cleaning and storing your contacts correctly every night to avoid serious eye infections. It is critical to thoroughly wash your hands before handling. You must use the cleaning solution provided and follow the specified cleaning routine. 

Your doctor may recommend hard contacts if you have astigmatism, meaning your eye shape isn’t perfectly normal, which causes distorted vision. They’re tougher than soft contacts; you might find them uncomfortable. 

Call Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, or book an appointment online today for expert eye care that preserves your vision. We can help you find the vision solution that’s right for you.