There are very few of us with perfect vision. This is often helped with glasses or contacts. While the vast majority of people chose to just wear glasses, more and more are switching to contacts every day. While vanity would have you believe that there is no reason for glasses if contacts available, this line of thinking is often flawed.
In fact, many people prefer to continue wearing glasses because they are more comfortable with them having worn them for many years. For these consumers, there is no need to alter their routine, and the idea of doing so is a daunting one at best. There is also the possibility that they just enjoy wearing their glasses.
Most people who need vision correction often choose contact lenses as they view them as more convenient. After all, they do not require the frequent cleaning like glasses do and you can still wear safety goggles that may be a requirement of your job. Contacts also will not fog up during extreme temperature changes or in humid areas which is a very often heard complaint of people with glasses.
There are also some advantages to wearing glasses. Unlike contacts, they can be used as a fashion accessory to compliment your different outfits. You can also slip them off easily at night and store in a case without the need for time consuming cleaning, and they are often more comfortable to wear as there is no need for a foreign body or substance to enter your eye.
Contact lenses are not meant for everyone though. There are certain vision impairments that can’t be corrected or even slightly improved by the use of contact lenses. However there are many conditions and impairments that respond well to contact lenses. For instance, astigmatism responds well to contact lenses in many cases. Also, for those of us who need bifocals, there are now bifocal contacts. Your optometrist can easily recommend contact lenses for you or convert an established eyeglass prescription to contact lenses.
Glasses also come with a set of negatives. Although they have been in use for many years, there are still improvements that can be made. For example, unlike contact lenses, were your entire field of vision is in focus, glasses often leave you with poor side vision. Many people also find the weight of the glasses on their face to be a distraction. And, lets face it, no one likes to wear them in the rain or snow. Glasses are also more easily broken. It’s entirely too easy for them to be damaged during sports or games if they are knocked from your face. This can be helped with a strap or by using prescription goggles, but for many people, this is not an option.
As you can tell, the decision between contact lenses and eyeglasses is a very personal one and often comes down to your lifestyle. A younger person might make the switch to contact lenses as soon as they are able, foregoing even a backup pair of glasses. This is in sharp contrast to an older person who is accustomed to wearing glasses is much more likely to stick with them unless it is absolutely necessary.
