The Pros and Cons of Wearing Contact Lenses: Are They the Right Choice for You

If your vision is not 20/20 and you need corrective lenses to see better, one of your choices is contacts. Most people wear glasses, but contact lenses are popular for several reasons, including aesthetics. You might be wondering if it’s the right choice for you, though. Learning about the pros and cons of wearing contacts might help you decide.

What Are Contact Lenses?

Contacts are thin, curved discs made of plastic worn on the cornea. There are two different types – rigid and soft. Of the two, the most popular is soft contacts. Contact lenses are naturally clear. However, manufacturers usually add color so that the wearers can handle them more easily.

Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contacts are made up of soft plastics. They’re flexible, capable of absorbing water and molding to the eye’s shape. Soft contacts are larger than hard ones, so they can comfortably cover the eyes. The size is one of the advantages of soft contacts over hard contacts. The latter’s size makes them prone to getting dislodged from the eye.

Hard Contact Lenses

There are two types of hard contacts – rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses and conventional hard lenses (PMMA). Hard contact lenses help people who have unevenly curved corneas with sharper vision. The problem is they are incredibly uncomfortable because they cause dryness due to depleted oxygen in the eye.

When Are Contact Lenses the Better Choice?

If you are active and like to go outdoors, contact lenses are a much better choice than glasses. Of course, you can still be active wearing glasses. However, contacts make it easier to engage in activities when you don’t have to worry about your glasses breaking. Moreover, your peripheral vision isn’t blocked with contacts, unlike when wearing glasses.

Another reason why you may prefer contacts is that they’re better aesthetically. Contact lenses are also more convenient when it comes to caring for and cleaning. You usually don’t have to worry much about them when worn throughout the day. Unlike glasses that fog up, sweat your face, or slip down your nose, contact lenses stay steady on your eyes.

Benefits of Wearing Contact Lenses

The advantages of contact lenses can be summarized as follows:
 

• More natural field of vision

• No interference from blurry peripheral vision or fogging

• No changes appearance-wise unless you’re wearing colored lenses

• Better freedom of movement when engaging in physical activities

• Easy to put in and remove, as well as comfortable to wear

• Allow the use of non-prescription sunglasses

• Help improve the wearer’s self-esteem

• Not as costly to replace, unlike glasses
   

Drawbacks of Wearing Contact Lenses

While there are many benefits to wearing contacts, they also have a fair share of disadvantages, such as:
 

• Higher risk of infection compared to glasses

• Uncomfortable to wear if you have dry eye or other vision disorders

• Require more maintenance and cleaning

• Debris can get under the lens, into the eye, and cause irritation

• Can be more costly long-term than glasses

• Can make digital eye strain symptoms worse
   

Some people find that wearing contact lenses part-time is the best for them. When out and about and doing physical activities, you may choose to wear contacts. When in other situations, you can wear glasses instead. If you are still trying to decide whether contacts are the right choice, it helps to speak to your eye doctor.
 

If you don’t have a vision care specialist, contact Van Alstyne Eye Care at (903) 482-0090 or visit our clinic in Van Alstyne, Texas.