When you have defective vision, you often ask yourself whether it is better to wear glasses or get used to using contact lenses. Surely the choice is strongly influenced by one’s needs and habits since the use of contact lenses could cause discomfort that traditional eyewear would avoid and vice versa. There is actually no single answer but remember that one choice is not necessarily better than the other. Each has pros and cons in terms of vision, ease of use and eye health.
Note: always remember to contact the specialist or your trusted ophthalmologist who, after diagnosis, will be able to advise you on the use of glasses or contact lenses.
Contact lenses or glasses? Let’s find out the pros and cons
Indice dei Contenuti
The pros of contact lenses
- They offer a more natural view, as they are placed on the cornea (objects appear in the right size, without distortion)
- They adapt to the curvature of the eye, offering a wider field of vision
- Contact lenses do not limit the person during sport and physical activity
- They are more comfortable for some types of work (especially in humid environments or where glasses are not compatible with the use of tools, such as special helmets)
- They do not fog up when moving from cold areas to warm environments and do not create problems related to sweating of the forehead
The cons of contact lenses
- They are not suitable for living or working conditions in the presence of dust, chemical vapors, air turbulence and high altitudes, which make it essential to use “classic” or even special glasses
- They require more frequent maintenance
- They require adequate care of the lenses and daily cleaning of their case to avoid serious eye infections
- They are less immediate to apply
- They do not enhance a person’s style and face
- They reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the eye and can cause or increase the severity of dry eye syndrome
- Over a medium / long time horizon (2-3 years) they have a higher cost than buying glasses
- Its use is unsuitable if you systematically take certain types of drugs
The pros of eyeglasses
- The choice of models and colors suitable for every face shape enhances the person’s appearance
- They are a recognized style element
- They require little maintenance
- They can guarantee complete protection from UV rays and blue light thanks to special filters
- Wearing them reduces the need to touch your eyes and the likelihood of irritating them
- Given the durability and continuous innovation on the materials to produce them, on average they cost less than lenses
The cons of eyeglasses
- The stems of the frame prevent proper peripheral vision
- In movement and contact sports they are bulky or in any case less comfortable than lenses
- The transition from cold to hot environments can cause fogging of the lenses
- In case of acute myopia, the lenses are very thick and the aesthetic result is not the best
The final comparison: contact lenses or glasses?
Often the choice is not exclusive, indeed in some cases it is even recommended to have both prescription glasses and contact lenses depending on the situation in which they can be used. Certain conditions or situations of use and specific pathologies can make the use of contact lenses dangerous or make it an almost obligatory choice.
The constant technological advances from the point of view of both ophthalmic and contact lenses are ensuring better visual quality and complete protection for all cases.
Knowing exactly the pros, cons and differences is essential in order not to make mistakes and always protect the health of your eyes: the important thing is to always have a discussion with your optician-optometrist to evaluate which is the most suitable solution for your situation.
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