Though you might be bummed you no longer have 20/20 vision, you now get to make the exciting choice of what corrective eyewear to use! You might be thinking, “Yeah, right. Eyewear isn’t exciting.” Maybe it wasn’t in the past, but we now have hundreds of thousands of options for people to choose from in the two main categories: glasses and contacts. So this is a great opportunity to choose an option that speaks to your needs and style. If you’re on the fence between glasses or contact lenses, we help you figure out which you should get below.
Decide Which Will Be More Stylish and Comfortable for You Style
Right off the bat, glasses stand out as fashion statements. Glasses can be a part of your identity that shouts, “That’s so me!” from a mile away. They come in all shapes and sizes, letting you switch up your style on a whim. And if you find the right glasses frame material for you, then you more or less guarantee that whatever style you select will look amazing.
Contact lenses, on the other hand, don’t act as fashion statements. However, they do offer the freedom to be active or out in nasty weather without worrying about them slipping off your face or fogging up. Plus, contacts will never impact your outfits, making them a great choice if you like to keep your wardrobe simple.
Think About Care and Maintenance
Glasses are low maintenance. Give them a wipe, and you’re good to go. You don’t have to worry about putting them in backward or blinking them out of your eye—yes, that’s a thing with contacts. Contact lenses also require a bit more TLC. You need to make sure your hands are clean when putting them in, use fresh solution, and remember not to fall asleep with them on, unless you enjoy dry eyes.
That said, glasses also have drawbacks when it comes to care. Since you’ll probably have only one pair, you have to make sure you don’t lose them. This means glasses require more mental maintenance than contacts, as losing a contact lens isn’t nearly as tragic.
Consider Convenience and Your Lifestyle
Contacts might lead to dry eyes, but that’s not a huge problem if you replace them regularly. Plus, they won’t get in the way during physical activities, which is a plus for all the athletes reading this.
Glasses, meanwhile, can fog up in varying temperatures, but they offer some protection from environmental factors like dust and pollen. Still, as we mentioned, you’ll have to be extra cautious about not losing them, which can be stressful and annoying.
Which Is Best for You?
So should you get glasses or contact lenses? Here’s the most important thing: wear what you know will make you most comfortable and confident. If you love accessories and are a careful person, then glasses could be perfect for you. If you’re an athlete or just an active person and don’t want to deal with something on your face, then contacts are probably better.
However, there’s no rule saying you can’t have both! Talk to your parents about why you want the type of eyewear you do—whether that’s glasses, contacts, or both—so they can help you get it. We hope this guide has helped you decide!