Should I Get Contacts or Stick With Glasses? 4 Questions to Help You Decide
Written By: Taylor Rao
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If you need a little help with your vision, there’s no choice but to do whatever it takes to get you squared away with either a pair of frames or contact lenses to improve your sight and see things clearly again.
There is a choice, though, in deciding which option is right for you: contacts, glasses, or both. Whether you’ve been visually impaired for a while or are new to needing a little extra boost, there are a few key questions you can ask yourself to help decide which option is right for you.
How organized or regimented am I?
Very organized
If you’re a routine type of person --someone who goes to bed at the same time every night, never misses a class at the gym, or is always on time --you’re an A+ candidate for a pair of contacts. When you have contacts, it’s not just a set-it-and-forget-it type of deal; there’s ongoing maintenance that needs to take place like disinfecting, cleaning, and storing your lenses after you take them out.
Some contact lenses are more low-key than others, like daily disposables that don’t require cleaning or storing, but they do need to be put in every single day --preferably at the same time so you can stick with a routine and see clearly first thing in the morning. So, either way, you’re signing up for a routine that depends on you being on the ball.
A little on the forgetful side
When you already have enough going on with your getting-ready regimen, glasses are a smarter choice to keep things easy. If you need to wear your glasses full-time, you’re not going to have to worry about misplacing them, dropping them, or accidentally leaving the house without them.
Of course, you’re still going to want to keep a sturdy case and some cleaning wipes on hand for when you need it, but for the most part --life with glasses that work can be smooth sailing. There’s way less maintenance and upkeep, and rarely having to worry about if something isn’t feeling right.
What’s my physical activity level?
Very active
If you are hitting the gym on a regular basis --whether it’s cardio kickboxing, Crossfit, or strength training, glasses are known to get in the way and affect your ability to focus on the physical tasks in front of you (literally). For the person constantly moving from one activity to the next, contacts help you see clearly and not have to waste time on distractions like your glasses falling off, fogging up, or limiting your peripheral vision.
Pro tip: Daily contacts are recommended for frequent gym-goers or outdoor enthusiasts since you’ll simply pop a fresh pair in each morning and not have to worry about bringing a case or contact solution to the locker room with you. They’re also clean and ready to go for you each day.
I’m a little more “Netflix and Chill”
If you’re not super worried about breaking a sweat and counting steps on your AppleWatch, a pair of glasses will get the job done when you’re spending most of your time at home or at a daily desk job. The tip here is to find a pair that is comfortable and fits perfectly to your face shape so that the frames rest comfortably.
Overall, you might be happiest with a pair of glasses that are simply more low maintenance if you’re not concerned about them falling off mid-run or obstructing normal physical activities.
What’s my budget?
The (spending) limit does not exist
Contacts can be seen as a pricier option to glasses because you’ll need to frequently renew your subscription to get fresh pairs whether that’s on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Contact lenses can range anywhere from $150 to $1,500 per year depending on what brand you buy, the prescription you have, and what your insurance will cover.
I keep a close eye on my finances
Glasses last longer than a pair of contacts, so generally a pair of glasses will be more cost-effective in the long run. Of course, you can spend all day at the optometrist’s office trying on expensive frames from Prada and Gucci, so inexpensive isn’t always the case --but it’s important you can still see the price tags clearly while you are picking out your go-to frames.
Additionally, many shops offer deals and discounts on frames or lenses, whether it’s a buy one get one free type of deal or another incentive that might allow you to take home two pairs for a discounted price. There are also a few direct-to-consumer eyewear brands where you can cut out the middleman and score a sweet price on a trendy, high-quality pair. One of our favorites is Warby Parker which has tons of frame styles for less than $100 dollars and you can try on 5 pairs at home for free before you choose. Wanna find the best Warby Parker frames for your face shape? We can help!
What’s my lifestyle?
Easygoing and consistent
If your dating profile says anything about being low maintenance and laid back, you’re probably the type of person who wants to just get up and go, and maybe doesn’t spend a ton of time on every little detail before leaving the house. A pair of glasses will suit your low key nature, as you’ll appreciate the consistency and reliability of a pair of glasses. No surprises there.
Another thing for the sake of consistency is that you’ll probably be satisfied with sporting a similar look every day with the same pair of frames. It’s not your style to be playing around with different outfits, accessories, or getting sick of the same old things. AKA --a pair of neutral, go-with-anything glasses will suit your style no problem.
Always mixing it up
Listen --you might be thinking about how adding a pair of glasses could mix up your day-to-day looks and change your personality and style in an instant. And though that may be true, you can only have so many pairs of prescription frames, so for the more fashion-focused person, a pair of contacts leaves more room for creativity.
Glasses can simply get in the way of accessorizing --whether you want to add a hat, a pair of earrings, or a statement necklace to your #OOTD. And in today’s times where masks are required almost everywhere in public, many glasses wearers are getting that foggy effect on their frames that is nothing but a nuisance.
So, for the fashion-obsessed, stay focused on accessories and if you’re really craving glasses, try a pair of blue light frames (which can help with screen time!) while sticking with your contacts for your day-to-day vision needs.
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