Glasses Vs. Contacts: Which is Right for You?

Choosing whether to correct your vision with eyeglasses or contact lenses takes serious thought. Our knowledgeable optometrists, Mital Patel, OD, Mark Machen, OD, and Ashley Swalla, OD, at Classic Vision Care in Kennesaw and Marietta, Georgia, help you understand all your options.

Showcase your passion for fashion

Uninspiring eyewear is a thing of the past. These days, eyeglasses are often seen as fashion statements. If you’re not sure whether glasses or contacts best fit your lifestyle, we’re here to help. Consider:

Eyeglass benefits

1. Eyeglasses require little upkeep, whereas content lenses usually need daily care.
2. You’re less likely to irritate your eyes through manual contact.
3. During our pandemic, glasses shield your eyes the way masks protect your nose and mouth.
4. Glasses work better with sensitive eyes.
5. They protect you from dust and pollen in the air.

The pluses of contact lenses

1. They’re barely noticeable.
2. They won’t hinder most of your athletic activities, except perhaps swimming, where it’s better to wear prescription goggles or nothing at all.
3. Contacts offer a wider field of vision and less visual distortion than glasses.

Daily versus extended wear contact lenses

If you’re concerned about the day-to-day handling of contact lenses, but prefer to wear them instead of glasses, consider extended wear lenses. Our experienced optometrists find the perfect solution for your particular needs.

Extended wear contacts can be worn continuously from 7-30 days, depending upon the lenses. Thinner than typical contacts made from silicone hydrogel material, extended wear lenses allow the eye to “breathe” more. However, wearing lenses continuously increase the odds of:

• Fungal eye infections
• Pink eye
• Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare eye disease caused by tiny amoeba found in water 

The eyes have it

Our doctors help you consider all the pros and cons before deciding between glasses or contacts, such as:

Eyeglass pros 

• No special cleaning solutions needed
• You can find frames to fit your style.
• You can have multiple pairs for computer use and/or distance.

Eyeglass cons

• Glasses can fog up or get splattered.
• They can fall off your nose and break.
• You can lose or misplace them.
• You feel them on your face.

Contact lens pros

• Daily disposable lenses offer convenience. Wear them once and discard. No need for cleaning and maintenance.
• Your entire face remains visible.
• You won’t need prescription sunglasses.

Contact lens cons 

• They require continual upkeep.
• If you have astigmatism, which is an irregularly-shaped cornea at the front of your eye, your vision might appear blurry when your contacts rotate.
• Lens solutions can cause allergic reactions, such as redness and irritation. It’s best to stick with a solution you find compatible rather than switch to a new brand.

Get the best of both worlds

Our expert optometrists can fit you for both contact lenses and glasses. Wear eyeglasses at home and contacts when you go out. To schedule a regular checkup or purchase new glasses or contacts, simply give us a call or book an appointment online with Classic Vision Care today.