Contacts vs. glasses: What’s the better option?

Let’s say you recently went to the eye doctor. They told you that you need some help seeing better. You may be wondering which option — contacts or eyeglasses — is best for you. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

Whether you choose glasses, contacts or both depends on your prescription and lifestyle, says Viola Kanevsky, O.D. She’s a past president of the New York Optometric Association, an optometrist with Acuity NYC in New York, and a member of the American Optometric Association. “Convenience and comfort are factors to take into account,” she says.

What type of vision insurance you have may also factor into your decision. Some vision plans allow you 1 pair of glasses or a certain number of contact lenses per year. Some other vision plans may allow you to get both glasses and contacts during the same benefit period. It’s all based on the type of plan you may have.

Below, find out what you need know about contacts and eyeglasses, whether they might be covered by insurance, what they might cost and more.

Do you have questions about vision insurance? Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about plans, or browse your options online today.

How are glasses better than contact lenses?

Glasses have been the go-to option for vision correction for many years. Advantages include:

• Glasses may cost less than contacts. The cost of glasses can vary. It depends on the type of frames and lenses you purchase. But generally, “glasses can be more cost-effective than contacts since they don’t need to be replaced as often,” says Dr. Kanevsky.
• Glasses require little care compared to contacts. “Eyeglasses require very little maintenance,” says Dr. Kanevsky. Daily cleaning with a soft microfiber cloth, periodic washing in cool water with liquid soap, and proper storage in a case can help maintain your eyeglasses. You may also want to have them tightened or adjusted by an eye care professional as needed. Contacts, on the other hand, require much more upkeep (see below).
• Glasses come in many more options than contacts do. Glasses offer different frame styles and colors to choose from. There are also different lens options, depending on your prescription, lifestyle and needs.

Lens options include:

• Single vision lenses: These can help you see up close or far away, but not both. Lenses specifically for use at the computer are one type.

• • Glasses are often a better option for those who spend long hours working on the computer, Dr. Kanevsky says. “Wearing contacts while working at a computer can contribute to dryness and other symptoms of computer vision syndrome,” she says. “This is also known as digital eye strain.”
• Multifocal lenses: These lenses can correct both near and distance vision.

Do you have questions about vision insurance? Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about plans, or browse your options online today.

What are the disadvantages of glasses?

While there aren’t many disadvantages to wearing eyeglasses, there are some. These include:

• Glasses may distort side (peripheral) or side-to-side vision. One of the main disadvantages of glasses is that ophthalmic lenses may distort vision, says Dr. Kanevsky. So, if you’re looking out the side of your eye at something — maybe you’re at a crosswalk checking one-way traffic — glasses could distort your vision.
• Glasses may not work for an active lifestyle. Regular eyeglasses aren’t optimal if you live an active lifestyle. They can easily fog up. They may also fall off or break if accidentally knocked off while engaging in high-impact sports. For these reasons, you may need an additional pair of protective eyeglasses for sports.

How are contact lenses better than glasses?

Contacts are a popular alternative to glasses. About 45 million people in the United States wear contacts. But are contact lenses better than glasses? In some cases, they are. Their advantages include:

• Contact lenses allow you to have undistorted vision. “Contacts move with your eye. This allows for a natural field of view,” says Dr. Kanevsky. “This makes them excellent for sports and other physical activities.” So, that situation where your peripheral vision is distorted at a crosswalk wouldn’t happen if you were wearing contacts.
• Contact lenses have multiple options too — but not in the same way that glasses do. The whole point of contacts is that you don’t really see them on your eyes. So, they’re not a fashion statement the way eyeglasses are. And whereas glasses have many different types of frames and lenses, there are only 2 basic types of contact lenses: soft and hard.
  • Soft contact lenses are the type most people choose to wear. “Soft lenses are made from gel-like plastics called hydrogels,” says Dr. Kanevsky. “These lenses are very thin and pliable. They mold easily to the shape of your eye.”
    • There are also daily and extended wear contact lenses. Daily lenses are meant to be worn daily and discarded before you go to sleep. Extended wear lenses can be worn day and night, for anywhere from 1 to 30 days.
  • Hard contact lenses: The most common type are called rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses. These hard plastic lenses tend to last longer than soft contact lenses, as they’re less likely to tear. They may also provide clearer vision.
• Contact lenses may be able to help correct some vision problems. “There are certain conditions where contact lenses are medically necessary. In those cases, they may be able to help improve vision where glasses cannot,” says Dr. Kanevsky. “For example, there are lenses that can correct irregularities of the cornea, ones that help alleviate severe dry eye, and myopia-control contacts that can slow the progression of nearsightedness in children.” (Myopia or nearsightedness is when objects that are far away appear blurry.)

What are the disadvantages of contact lenses?

“While contacts provide many vision benefits, they are not risk-free,” says Dr. Kanevsky. The disadvantages include:

• Contacts lenses have different prescriptions than glasses. Contacts require a longer initial examination. They may also require more follow-up visits to maintain eye health, says Dr. Kanevsky.
  • This is why they require a separate contact lens fitting in addition to your vision exam. Vision insurance may help offset the cost of these contact lens fittings. Call a licensed insurance agent at (800) 827-9990 to talk about plans, or browse your options online today.
• Contacts may cost more. How much are contacts? They can vary widely in price. Vision insurance plans may only cover a certain number of contact lenses per plan year. Check your plan benefits to see what’s covered.
• Contacts require more care. Since you put contact lenses into your eyes, care is extremely important. Bacteria can easily be introduced into the eye from the hands or from reusable contact lenses themselves. This can lead to inflammation and infections of the eye.
  • Common risky mistakes include failing to properly clean and store reusable contacts, says Dr. Kanevsky. Sleeping in daily contacts is also a common risky behavior, she says.