Noticed your vision isn’t what it used to be?
You’re not alone.
More than half of the UK population need to wear corrective eyewear to help them see more clearly – with 59% of people opting for glasses and only 9% going down the contact lens route.
Many people who come to our opticians in Formby ask the same question – ‘are glasses or contact lenses better?’
The truth is that there’s no better or worse, and the best option all depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences.
If you’re struggling to make up your mind and need a little expert guidance, the team here at Silver & Rose have compiled a list of the pros and cons of each option in this article.
Pros of Glasses
When you think of corrective eyewear, the first thing that comes to mind is probably prescription glasses.
Traditionally, glasses are thought of as the best thing to support our eye health, but in recent times, they’ve become more of an accessory rather than just a tool to help improve our vision.
- They’re easy to wear
Unlike contact lenses, which tend to be a little bit fiddly, using glasses is easy.
All you need to do is pick out a frame you like and make sure they’re comfortable, and your optician will fit them with your required prescription.
- They’re cost-effective
Some frames cost more than others, but you don’t have to spend a fortune if you’re looking to make a bold fashion statement.
You won’t need to replace them regularly and all you need is a piece of cloth to keep the lenses free of grubby fingerprints.
Cons of Glasses
- They can sometimes look strange
If you’ve never had to wear them before, glasses can be a massive change and lots of people don’t like the way they look while wearing them – because it distracts from their facial aesthetics or hides some of their features.
If you need a stronger prescription, the edges of your lenses might be quite thick and unappealing and could even make your eyes appear bigger or smaller than they are naturally.
- They can be uncomfortable
Some frames can also be extremely unformattable too – even once they’ve been sized up correctly – adding constant pressure on your nose and behind your ears.
Pros of Contact Lenses
- They stay out of the way
If you spend the majority of your spare time at the gym or you’re worried about glasses clashing with your outfits, then you’ll be better off opting for a pair of contact lenses.
They won’t get in the way whilst you’re running on the treadmill or doing your weight exercises, and there’s no chance of contacts ruining your favourite outfit.
- They better enhance your vision
Contacts also conform to the curvature of your eye, which provides a wider field of view and causes fewer distortions and obstructions.
Some lenses can even reshape your cornea while you sleep, temporarily correcting conditions like myopia – so you can see clearly the next day without having to wear contacts or glasses.
Cons of Contact Lenses
- They can be tricky to apply
It’s not uncommon for people to have trouble when applying their contact lenses.
If you’ve never worn them before they’re a lot to get used to, but by practising proper techniques, you should be able to rectify this issue quickly.
- They can contribute to eye conditions
Ever heard of computer vision syndrome?
If you work in an office setting, staring at a computer screen for hours on end, wearing contacts will put you at an increased risk of developing blurred or double vision, as well as dry, red and irritated eyes.
- They require lots of maintenance
Contacts require lots of upkeep, which if you don’t have much spare time or you’re notoriously forgetful, is a bit of an inconvenience.
You’ll need to clean them daily with a special disinfecting solution, allowing them to air-dry until you can wear them again or pop them back into their case to soak.
Not to mention having to clean the case once every month.
Contacts, glasses or both?
Now that you’re aware of the all-important pros and cons, it’s time to make a decision.
Whatever you decide, whether it be contact lenses, glasses or both, our Formby opticians here at Silver & Rose are here for you.
With a range of designer eyewear options and our advanced contact lens technology, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
For more information or to book an appointment with us, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Either give us a call on +44 1704 831117 to speak to us directly, or fill out our online contact form and we’ll get back to you!