Eyeglasses have always been the go-to solution for vision correction. Even so, many people want to switch to wearing contact lenses. According to the American Optometric Association, wearing contact lenses has advantages and disadvantages. Below are the pros and cons of switching from eyeglasses to contact lenses.
 

Pro: Provides a Complete Field of Vision

Eyeglasses and contact lenses are available in the same prescription. But unlike spectacles, contacts can give you a complete field of vision. Contact lenses move with the eyes. They can also help you have sharper peripheral vision.

Wearing eyeglasses allows you to see anything clearly in front of you. Objects to the side appear blurry. Contact lenses give you clear vision from every side. It also gives you a more natural type of vision without glares.

Pro: Supports an Active Lifestyle

Contact lenses can give you the flexibility and freedom to enjoy an active lifestyle. Contacts are less obtrusive and lighter. They do not interfere with your protective headgear. When you move around, lenses do not slip off or move up and down. They do not rub against your face. Contacts do not slow you down in any way.

Pro: Enhances Confidence

Some people feel like their glasses prevent them from looking their best. This is one of the main reasons for shifting to contacts. Younger people prefer contact lenses because of their aesthetic benefits. Studies show that teens and children feel better about their looks when they wear contacts than when they wear eyeglasses.

Contact lenses provide you with a natural look. It can improve your vision without heavy and awkward frames. You can show off your eyelash extensions and eye makeup as well. You can then feel more confident in the way you look.

Pro: Wearable for Every Weather Condition

Eyeglasses steam up when you enter a warm room after staying in an air-conditioned one. They also collect debris and rain. Contact lenses do not become misty during bad weather. You can clean them right away by blinking your eyes.

Con: Has More Risks Than Eyeglasses

The common complications from wearing contacts are always due to poor maintenance and hygiene. Other people do not follow the proper instructions in caring for their contacts. You can develop eye issues like conjunctivitis and dry eyes.

Con: Needs More Maintenance and Care

Eyeglasses just need some rinsing and wiping before or after putting them on. Deciding to wear contacts involves more work. You must make sure that you clean and handle your contacts well. Failing to do so can leave you with eye health problems like eye infections. It may even cause permanent eye damage. Following your eye doctor’s instructions in caring for your contact lenses will need more time and effort.

It can be inconvenient for most people to disinfect and clean contact lenses. You have to commit yourself to care for your lenses. Specific contact lenses need specific instructions that you must follow carefully. Know the type of contact lenses that you have. That way, you can understand how to care for them.

Deciding to switch to contacts means accepting the advantages and disadvantages of wearing these lenses. At NewView Family Eyecare, we always guide our patients on wearing, maintaining, and handling their new contacts. Please visit our clinic in Waterloo, Iowa, for a one-on-one consultation.

Call New View Family Eyecare at 319-236-2020 to schedule an appointment or ask questions about our eyeglasses and contact lens packages.