Contact Lenses vs Glasses (2024)

If you’ve been prescribed glasses – whether you’re new to your eyewear or a seasoned veteran – you’ve probably had the age-old debate between wearing your glasses or opting for contact lenses. Both options have their own benefits and drawbacks and the best choice will often depend on your individual lifestyle, preferences, and eye health.

In this guide, we will break down the key factors of glasses and contact lenses, including comfort, cost, vision quality, convenience, and aesthetics, to help you make an informed decision and best choice for you.

Comfort level

Each type of lens offers different levels of comfort. Each person’s comfort level is subjective and you may find one option more comfortable than the other.

• When your glasses are fitted correctly by a specialist, such as an optometrist or a dispensing optician, you shouldn’t be aware of them; however they can cause discomfort around the ears or nose if you have ill-fitting frames. They can also fog up in humid environments or when there’s large changes in temperatures, such as when you open the oven door too quickly.
• Content lenses, when inserted correctly, should be comfortable and provide a more natural field of vision. However, they can cause dryness or irritation for some, especially in dry climates, when using screens for prolonged times or after a long period of wear.

Ensure your glasses frames have been properly fitted to reduce any pressure or soreness on the bridge of your nose and around your ears or temples. Ensure you change your contact lenses regularly and keep your eyes lubricated with contact lens-friendly eye drops. Remove them if they are causing you any discomfort or pain to avoid damaging your eyes and consult your optician for advice.

Vision correction

Although both options are designed to correct your vision, they offer different levels of vision correction.

• Glasses provide stable vision and are easy to adjust, however, peripheral vision can be limited by the glasses frame. Certain types of lenses such as varifocals can limit the field of view further, which is why it is important to get your glasses fitted by a professional. Glasses also can have coatings such as anti-reflection which allows for better quality in vision.
• Contacts can offer a wider field of view as they move with your eyes. However some people experience fluctuations in clarity or may struggle with dry eyes which can blur vision.

Both options can help with astigmatism although it’s thought that the use of contacts may be the better option, particularly for keratoconus (a condition in which the cornea thins and becomes cone-shaped).

Costs

Cost will likely be a factor on many minds when deciding whether to opt for glasses or contact lenses.

• Glasses: Initial costs for a pair of glasses is likely to be much higher for good-quality frames and lenses. However, maintenance is minimal and glasses can last you for years with proper care as long as your prescription doesn’t change.
• Contact lenses: A lower initial cost, however the price of daily and monthly contact lenses can add up over time. There is also the additional cost of cleaning solutions and contact lens cases on top of the lenses themselves.

Lifestyle

You’ll need to take lifestyle into consideration when deciding between contact lenses and glasses. Those with a more active lifestyle may find that glasses get in the way of hobbies and activities while others may find that contact lenses just don’t work with their lifestyle.

• Glasses: Convenient for quick on-and-off use but may not be practical for active lifestyle or sports. Although, glasses can also break or get lost more easily.
• Contact lenses: Ideal for sports and active lifestyles, but require more careful hygiene practices. They don’t fog us like glasses and are unaffected by rain, however are not suitable for some sports such as swimming.

Many people use both contact lenses and glasses and switch them out depending on what they’re doing at the time. Many opt for contacts when playing sports and switch back to glasses for work – there are many pros and cons of contact lenses for sport.

Style

As well as switching between glasses and contacts for sports or activities, many glasses wearers choose to switch between the two for aesthetic reasons. Personal preference and self-image can play a significant role in choosing between the two.

• Glasses: Glasses can be a fashion accessory in their own right. They’re available in a wide range of styles, colours, and shapes so many people enjoy using their glasses to express their personality and style.
• Contact lenses: If you’re looking for a natural look without altering your appearance, contact lenses can be very useful – particularly for wearing to events or parties. They also allow for you to wear non-prescription sunglasses and makeup without interference.

Eye health

Eye health, of course, also plays a big part in your choice between glasses and contact lenses.

• Glasses: Low maintenance and minimal risk of infection as there is no direct contact with eyes.
• Contact lenses: Because they come into direct contact with your eyes, there is a large risk of spreading and causing infections or irritation, especially if not properly cleaned between wears or if they’re worn for extended periods of time. They require more care and attention to hygiene when using and can also cause dry eyes which, if left untreated, can cause damage to your eyes. Learn more about dry eyes.

When to Choose Glasses Over Contact Lenses

You may want to opt to wear glasses over contacts in situations such as if you have chronic eye infections or frequent allergies. They’re also ideal for those who prefer a low-maintenance option or for children and those who may struggle with proper contact lens care. You also may prefer glasses if the thought of touching your eyes makes you uncomfortable.

When to Choose Contact Lenses Over Glasses

For athletes, those who prefer a more natural look, or people who need a wider field of vision, contact lenses might be the better option. Additionally, if you find glasses uncomfortable or inconvenient, contacts might be the perfect solution.

Can You Wear Both Contact Lenses and Glasses?

Yes you can wear both contact lenses and glasses, although not at the same time. Many people choose to wear both and use the two types of lenses for different things. Some may choose to wear glasses while at home or at work and put in contact lenses for events or special occasions. You may also choose to wear contact lenses the majority of the time and only wear your glasses when your eyes are tired or need a break. The versatility of having both options appeals to many people in many different ways.

Always ensure that no matter how long you go between wearing your contact lenses, that you clean them well after each wear (if applicable) and store them in the correct way to ensure they don’t damage your eyes.

Interested to learn more or see if your eyes are suitable for contact lenses? Book an eye test today.