People have depended on glasses to correct their vision since the 13th century, and the technology to improve them has only increased since that time. Glasses were the only source available to assist those who needed their vision corrected until 1887 when contacts were first developed.
Glasses have become a trusted way in which to have your vision corrected. Whether it is seeing clearer, having extra protection from the sun, or the simplicity of just taking your glasses off or putting them on, there is no denying that people love wearing glasses over contacts. Read on to learn how glasses are better than contacts.
Benefits of Glasses Over Contacts
There are many reasons why glasses are chosen and trusted over contacts. In this article, you will learn more about eight of the main reasons glasses are better than contacts. The reasons are:
| Reasons Glasses Are Better Than Contacts | |
| Care | Ease |
| Convenience | Health |
| No need for multiple pairs | Accuracy |
| Options | Style |
Whether the reasons are health-related or merely for comfort, there are various reasons that people pick glasses over contacts and why they stand above the vision-correcting competitor.
Care
From the time you first purchase your glasses until you decide to get them replaced, there are very few things that you need to do to care for them. The only thing that there is really to do with glasses, beyond cleaning them, is perhaps tightening a screw when needed.
When it comes to sleeping, those of you with glasses need only take them off and lay them on a nightstand or put them in a case. When you awake from your sleep, you need only to put them on and go about your day.
However, the same cannot be said for those who wear contacts, which requires a lot more maintenance or expense than glasses overall. For those people that have daily or extended wear lenses, they must:
- Be cleaned regularly
- Be stored in a special solution to keep them clear enough to provide your corrected vision
If you opt for disposable contacts, which are what most doctors will recommend, you will be paying to replace those contact lenses every few months. For those of you that require specialty lenses, the cost of replacing them every few months will quickly go beyond what you would have paid for glasses.
Convenience
Some people want to wait until the absolute last second to get out of bed and start their day in the morning. For those people that wear glasses, this is easy to do as you only need to grab them from your nightstand or take them out of the case and put them on.
For those of you that wear contacts, you must get up a few minutes earlier just to ensure that you have enough time to get your contacts in. Most days, getting your contacts in is an easy process. However, there are some days that your eyes just are not having it.
On difficult days, it could take several minutes to get the contacts to the point that you can physically get them in your eyes. This is not only a time-consuming process, but it is also a very frustrating issue.
Taking time out of your normal routine could cause you to be late to work or having to give up and wear glasses for the day. Something that can be avoided if you did as most people do and wear glasses instead of contacts.
No Need for Multiple Pairs
As people age, their eyesight changes, which may require them to wear not only a pair of glasses for distance but also some type of additional prescription lenses for reading or seeing objects up close. For those that wear glasses, it is an easy solution as bifocal lenses can be made, which will allow you to see comfortably at any distance.
The bifocal lens is also available for those who decide that they want to wear contacts. However, they do not work quite the same. For a contact bifocal lens to work, the lens must be sitting on your eye properly.
Contacts typically move in some form every time you blink. This will cause your lens to shift slightly, and if they do not sit back in exactly the same position after every blink. This will affect your corrected vision, something that is not possible with glasses.
Additionally, whether or not you wear glasses or contacts, you will most likely have a pair of sunglasses lying around to help you see better during the day. With contacts, you will need an extra set of sunglasses. However, with glasses, you can have them specially tinted so that they darken in the sun and lighten out of the sun. This feature is called photochromic lenses and I have more information on this here.
Ease
There are many reasons why glasses are easier to use daily as opposed to using contact lenses. A few reasons where ease is concerned are:
- Contact Damage
- Debris on Lens
- Debris Under Lens
While it is possible for glasses to have similar problems, they are not nearly as prone to difficult fixes. Assuming you do not crush them, glasses are relatively durable. And if they get dirty, you can easily wipe them clean without much hassle. Plus, taking them off and putting them on requires far less effort and foresight than it does with contacts.
Contact Damage
The average contact lens wearer knows all too well what happens that one time out of a million when their eye itches and they rip it while trying to gently scratch it with their finger. A ripped contact must come out immediately for several reasons:
- It is painful
- It can damage your eye
- It distorts your vision
Additionally, a damaged lens on a pair of glasses will not cause injury to your eye. In contrast, a ripped contact can and will damage your eye.
When this happens in public, you are left with few options to see clearly. Whereas with glasses, even if a lens were to be scratched, you can still see around the cracks or scratches until you can get them repaired.
Debris on the Lens
Everyone who has worn glasses knows what it is like when the lenses get dirty in any way. However, it is easier to deal with when it happens on glasses as opposed to contacts.
Contact wearers will undoubtedly know the pain of seeing something floating on their lens at some point. Provided the debris stays on the front of the lens, there will be no risk of injury to your eye, but it will disrupt your vision.
Unfortunately, there are not a lot of options that you have when debris gets onto your contact lens other than just blinking and gently wiping your eye. In some cases, this works. In others, it does not and will have to be something that you put up with until you get home later in the day.
Glasses, on the other hand, do not have this issue as the person just simply needs to wipe whatever debris off the lens. Correcting the debris issue on glasses is far easier than doing so with contact lenses.
Debris Under the Lens
One of the most painful things a contact lens wearer will experience at some point in their life is when debris somehow makes it under the lens. This means that whatever was out there has made its way beneath the contact lens and is trapped on top of your eye.
Like debris on top of the contact lens, there is not a whole lot you can do to rectify the situation quickly. Things like blinking, trying to move the lens, and gently rubbing are all tricks that sometimes work.
Other times, you will have no other choice but to take your contact lens out and try to find a way to remove the debris without damaging your lens. If you are traveling, at work, or anywhere other than home, the odds are that you will not have what you need to carefully remove the debris and clean the lens.
When it comes to wearing glasses, getting something trapped behind the lens is not something that can happen. If there is dirt or any other type of debris on the backside of the lens, the wearer needs only remove the glasses and clean them.
Health
There is little dispute that wearing glasses as opposed to contact lenses is healthier for your eyes. Wearing eyeglasses allows air to properly flow to your eye, and there is nothing that could cause any additional bacteria to form.
However, with contacts, the lens rests on top of your eye, which prevents air from getting to the covered portion. Additionally, contacts are known to develop bacteria on them, which can lead to other types of infections if not taken care of properly.
| Conditions Caused by Contacts | |
| Infections | Hypoxia |
| Conjunctivitis | Dry Eye |
| Scratched Cornea | Allergic Reactions |
Infections
Most eye infections from wearing contacts are caused by bacteria build up on the lenses. Usually, infections are linked to sloppy care. When contacts are not frequently enough changed or when water was used instead of the proper cleaning solutions.
Symptoms of eye infections can be something as seemingly insignificant as burning or sensitivity to light. Any signs and/or symptoms of an eye infection should be taken seriously, and immediate medical treatment sought.
Issues like this only arise for people who wear contact lenses and do not affect the person who is wearing glasses. This is because there is no opportunity for any type of bacteria to be stuck on the eye and cause an infection.
Corneal Hypoxia
Hypoxia is another condition that can be caused by wearing contacts. Contacts can prevent oxygen from getting to the cornea, which in turn causes hypoxia. People are more at risk for developing this condition if they wear contacts while they sleep. Symptoms of this condition include:
- Blurry vision
- Burning of the eyes
- Tearing
- A scratchy feeling
Typically, people with this condition can have a speedy recovery if caught properly. However, left untreated, it could eventually lead to more serious conditions.
Those that wear glasses are typically not at risk for having this condition as there is nothing that is preventing the cornea from getting the appropriate level of oxygen—making it yet another example as to why wearing glasses is better than contacts.
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, can affect anyone regardless of if they wear contacts or not. However, those that wear contacts may be more prone to getting it as opposed to those who wear glasses or do not need any corrective vision.
The reason why those that wear contacts can be more prone is if the body sees the lens as something that should not be on the eye. Due to the mechanical irritation when the contact lens is not fitted properly. The body then will begin to attack the area in an attempt to rid the eye of the lens, which in turn creates conjunctivitis.
Those who wear contacts that contract conjunctivitis will be told that they should wear glasses until the condition resolves. Thankfully, it is easily treated and typically resolves within a couple of days.
Dry Eye
Again, like conjunctivitis, dry eyes could be something that someone can suffer with regardless of if they wear contacts or not. However, those that do wear contact lenses may have to worry about this condition more than those who do not.
When a person blinks normally, tears are spread across the eye, which keeps them moist and removes dirt and other debris from them. Those who wear contacts do not have the same ability because the lens blocks the tears from getting directly to the eye.
Those who feel that their eyes are dry will be forced to use drops to combat the situation. For those that have this condition, they must ensure that they are using drops specifically designed for contact use.
In some situations, merely wearing contacts for several years could lead to the person developing a dry eye condition. This could force the person to switch from contacts to glasses to take care of their vision.
I need to add here scleral lenses in some cases can be a solution to dry eyes. Because they have a bigger fluid reservoir between your eye and the contacts compared to normal lenses. But aside from those speciality lenses in most cases glasses will be the easier solution when it comes to dry eyes.
Scratched Cornea
While people who do not wear contacts can have their cornea scratched, there are only specific instances when this can occur and do not happen because of wearing glasses. However, those that wear contact lenses do have a real threat of this every time they wear them.
A scratched cornea can be done while taking out your contact lens. A few of the more common causes are:
- When your fingernail accidentally hits the cornea and causes a scratch
- When a particle of something is stuck behind the contact lens
- When there is a tear that strikes the cornea
Scratched corneas can be very painful and can take anywhere from a day to several days to heal. In most cases, the scratch heals on its own, while in other circumstances, treatment and prescribed medicines are needed from a medical doctor.
Regardless of the reason or the recovery time, it is a clear reason that glasses are better than contacts. You do not need to worry about any of these things happening with glasses.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions are rarer than any other issue when it comes to contact lens use. Allergic reactions can be caused by the contact lens and/or the solution that you use to clean and store them.
Most cases of allergic reactions can be treated easily once the cause is determined. However, medical treatment may be needed to properly treat and get rid of the allergic reaction.
Are Glasses or Contacts More Accurate?
There might be some debate that they have the same corrective properties, making the question moot. However, there are at least two different reasons why glasses are more accurate than contacts:
- Stability
- Eye Conditions
It is important to consider not just accuracy in theory but in practice, and when you do that, glasses come out as the clear winner in most cases.
Stability
Provided your glasses are properly fitted to your face, they will not move once you put them on. This means that your glasses will correct your vision as anticipated every time without fail, provided you are not struck in the face.
Contacts, on the other hand, tend to move every time you blink and also rotate on your eye. That means that if the contact lens does not set on your eye properly after blinking, your corrected vision will be affected.
Keeping your lenses, regardless of if they are glasses or contacts, stable is key to being able to enjoy corrected vision. Glasses, maintaining their stability on your face, will ensure that you have the corrected vision every time without fail.
Eye Conditions
People who have certain eye conditions will undoubtedly see better with glasses than they would with contacts. Those who have astigmatism can have their vision corrected with contact lenses or glasses, but often they will see better when they wear glasses.
The reason is simple. Even with contacts that are specifically designed to combat astigmatism, they tend to rotate whenever the person wearing them blinks. When the rotation occurs, they are designed to go back into place properly to prevent any blurring for the person, but it does not always happen as quickly as the wearer would like.
With glasses, the glasses cannot rotate whenever you blink. Therefore, the corrective aspects of the lenses will stay the same regardless of how many times you blink in a day. That means that every time you look through your glasses, your corrected vision will be the same.
Options with Glasses
Glasses can be customized with different features, which will make wearing them easier. Anything from lighter lenses to scratch-resistant coating is a viable option and is not overly expensive.
| Options for Glasses | |
| Tint | Lightweight |
| Anti-scratch coating | Anti-reflective coating |
| UV-blocking | Progressive Lenses |
While options might not seem like something that can push glasses into being better than contacts, they are. After all, what is best mainly depends on what is preferred by an individual. With the options provided by glasses, they can fit the specific needs of far more customers.
Tint
One of the biggest complaints that people have who wear glasses is how bright it is outside while wearing them. Developers of glasses have created a photochromic treatment for the lenses, which causes them to darken when exposed to sunlight.
The treatment that is used on the glasses, known as photochromic, causes the lenses to darken when UV light from the sun hits them. In essence, a regular pair of glasses turn into sunglasses when they are exposed to the sun.
Previously, those who wear this type of lens used to complain that their glasses would not shift darker when inside of a vehicle. However, this is no longer a concern as technology has increased and provided an ability with the newer lenses to also turn darker even when inside of a vehicle.
In turn, when someone walks out of sunlight, the same photochromic treatment causes the lenses to lighten. This causes the glasses to go from dark from the sun to clear so that the wearer can easily see, all without having to switch from glasses to sunglasses.
Here I have an article for you with all the options when it comes to transition lenses.
Anti-Scratch Coating
Lenses for glasses, if untreated, are prone to scratching, which makes it harder to be able to see clearly. Thankfully, a coating has been developed in which the lenses are treated in which resists scratching of the lenses.
The coating that is placed on the lenses causes them to become harder and less likely to scratch during normal wear. However, nothing is scratch proof, which means if you do get this coating on your lenses, know that they can still, in some circumstances, be scratched.
In some cases, manufacturers will provide a guarantee that the lenses will not scratch during normal wear, and if they do, give the ability to replace them for free or with a low deductible. Either way, paying a little extra up front can save you a ton of money down the road if your lenses get scratched and have to be repaired.
UV-Blocking
Ultraviolet rays emanated from the sun can do damage to anything they touch, including your eyes. Wearing glasses could increase the exposure of the UV rays to the person who is wearing them.
Preventing UV rays is important because they have been known to cause various eye problems, including:
- Cataracts
- Macular degeneration
- Pterygium
Because of the risk to your eyes, it is highly recommended that you ensure that the lenses you purchase have this treatment on them.
Most lenses come with this treatment already, which works effectively in limiting the number of UV rays that can impact your eyes. Although most lenses come with this coating already, make sure that they have it before purchasing the glasses.
Light Weight
Lenses come in different shapes, sizes, and weights. Although none of the lenses made today are extremely heavy, you should make sure that the weight of the lenses you purchase is something you will be comfortable with for the life of your glasses.
Remember, the glasses you are buying are intended to last for a long period of time. The last thing that you or anyone else wants is to purchase a pair of glasses in which you are not comfortable with and will not enjoy wearing.
Make sure that you are completely happy with your glasses before you walk out of the doctor’s office. If you are not, ask for help, the doctor’s office will be glad to make your experience a pleasant one.
Anti-Reflective Coating
Anti-reflective coating can be purchased and added to your lenses while they are being manufactured, and they are recommended for a couple of different reasons:
- Limits glare that comes thru the lens
- Improves night driving
If you want to know more about anti-reflective coatings and the differences I have an article here ready for you.
Limits Glare that comes thru the Lens
Lenses that are treated with anti-reflective coating also work to limit the amount of glare that comes into the glasses. This is especially helpful when you are working on computer screens all day as it limits the amount of light that affects your vision.
In addition to allowing reflection of items around the wearer, they also allow for glare caused by lights and objects in darker settings. Reflections and/or glares will reduce the clarity of vision for the person that is wearing the lenses.
Improves Night Driving
Most people who wear glasses that are not properly coated will complain that they find it difficult to see at certain times, such as:
- In well-lit areas
- When someone has the high beams on
This is because the lenses they are wearing have no anti-reflective coating, which helps to prevent these lights from causing halos on the lenses.
Having lenses with this special coating on it will dramatically reduce, if not eliminate, any glare that you will get from any oncoming lights at night. This will increase your vision for night driving and your safety.
Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses allow for the gradual change of your normal glasses prescription to one that is stronger or weaker, depending on what you need for things like reading. Before their invention, anyone could spot bifocals or trifocals a mile away as they were distinct lines separating the different prescriptions.
Now, with progressive lenses, the change between different prescription strength lenses is gradual enough that they are not easily spotted by people that are not wearing them. They also allow for needing only one pair of glasses as opposed to having a set for distance and another for reading.
Progressive lenses are also available in contact lenses. However, as stated above, for them to work properly, they must rest on your eye correctly. If the contact rotates off the cornea in any way, your vision will become distorted easily, whereas glasses do not have that problem.
Style
It would be silly if it was not mentioned that glasses are certainly a way in which people can express their style. There are thousands of different frames out there available that you can use to customize how you want to present yourself to the world.
With your eyeglasses, you can certainly make a fashion statement, something that you cannot do with contacts. Typically, no one knows that you are wearing them unless you tell them, or you get lenses in which it is obvious to tell.
Contact lens wearers do not have the same ability to express their style as those who wear glasses. The only way that those who wear contacts can customize their appearance is by buying colored or animal-looking lenses.
I wish you a great day.