As with most things, there are pros and cons to consider when comparing contacts vs. glasses. Although some people prefer to wear one or the other, other users switch between the two depending on their needs.

Breathable contact lenses work the same way that glasses do — they change the direction of incoming light rays on the retina. If you’re nearsighted, meaning you can’t see well far away, light rays focus in front of your retina rather than on it. If you’re farsighted, or can’t see well close up, that means that your eyes don’t focus the light rays before they reach your retina.

Glasses are thicker because they sit further away from your eye. The optic zone is the part of the glasses that work to correct your vision. To help you see better, the optic zone of your glasses needs to be larger to accommodate the distance between your eye and the lens of your glasses. A breathable contact lens sits directly on the eye, so the optic zone can be smaller because it is closer to its target area.

Believe it or not, the weather outside can impact comparing contacts vs. glasses and when you should wear them. Evaluating the time of year and your environment is an essential step in determining the best solution for your eyes. During the summer, the weather can be hot, sticky, and humid. If your daily activities involve a lot of movement, it may be more challenging to keep your glasses on than it would be to wear contacts.

The amount of time you spend inside and outside may also impact your choice of contacts vs. glasses. If you’re inside a warm building and then you step out into the cold, your glasses can fog up, making it difficult to see. If you frequently transition between warm and cold during the day, that can be frustrating.

Being sick is no fun. Illness can have an impact on how you choose between contacts vs. glasses. Here are a few instances when choosing glasses may be a better alternative to breathable contact lenses.

• During allergy season: If you suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s essential to discuss with your eye doctor how this may impact your choice for eyewear. Having red and itchy eyes can make wearing breathable contact lenses uncomfortable. Wearing glasses will allow you to add medicated eye drops to your eyes throughout the day to help relieve pain and itch associated with your seasonal allergies.
• During a COVID-19 outbreak: As research continues to show us, frequent hand washing and keeping your hands away from your face is essential to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases such as the flu and the common cold. If you wear contacts, taking your breathable contact lenses in and out of your eyes is not recommended. Wearing glasses can help prevent you from touching your eyes.
• After an eye infection or injury: When suffering from an eye infection or other eye-related injury, it’s essential to do everything possible to avoid touching, scratching, or rubbing your eyes. If you have an eye infection such as pink eye, your eye doctor will instruct you to throw away your breathable contact lenses and wear glasses until your eye heals. You will also need to throw away all eye make-up and wash all make-up applicators that come into contact with your eyes, including mascara, make-up brushes, and eyeliner. Following these instructions will help ensure your eye heals, and the infection doesn’t return.

In general, the only time when age impacts choosing between glasses and breathable contact lenses in when you’re dealing with children. Glasses are the more popular choice for young children because of their durability. Also, breathable contact lenses can be difficult for young children to put into their eyes, and they may tend to rub their eyes throughout the day.

Glasses are also a popular choice among those who are a bit older and no longer have the dexterity to put in contact lenses safely. As people age, there are more eye health risks and glasses tend to be a safer option for those needing vision correction.

If you’re an athlete, having clear vision is a crucial part of being successful. Whether you need to see the basket, the goal, the ball, or your teammates, you want as little interference between your eyes and the target as possible. Breathable contact lenses are the more popular choice for athletes because they operate as an extension of your eyes.

However, there are instances when glasses are preferable in athletics. When a player suffers an injury to their eyes, an eye doctor may recommend they wear glasses to prevent further damage while the eye heals. If you work on computers or other screens for long periods each day, looking into a blue light filter for your glasses can help reduce headaches and eye strain. Although there are no contacts that have blue light reduction properties yet, you can purchase glasses without a prescription that offer blue light blocking.

According to How Stuff Works, nearly 36 million Americans wear breathable contact lenses, although not everyone uses them to correct their vision. In addition to evaluating contacts vs. glasses for corrective vision, many people also choose to wear breathable contact lenses for cosmetic reasons. You can use contacts to change the color of your eyes or to create a dramatic costume for Halloween or other special events.

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