What Is It Like to Live With Eyeglasses or Contacts?

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Vision correction aids like eyeglasses and contacts correct refractive errors and help you see better. Millions of people worldwide use these aids, and some need them from the moment they wake up.

If you have problems with your vision and need optical devices, it may be necessary to know what to expect and how to get the best out of your eyewear.

What Is It Like to Live With Glasses?

Glasses correct your vision and can also help you make a fashion statement. If you are getting glasses for the first time, the initial experience may not be what you expect, as your eyes will need some time to adjust to the new development.

You may also need to alter your routine to involve wearing glasses regularly. How you deal with the changes can affect how quickly you adjust to the new normal.

Some things you may experience as you start your adventure with glasses include:

Distorted Vision

For some new glass wearers, vision gets worse before it gets better. You may have distorted vision if your eyes have not become accustomed to your eyewear. People who have stayed for long with poor vision without correction may also experience worse vision as the eyes may have adapted to their vision.

Headaches

The eye muscles can also become overworked as your eyes adjust to glasses leading to headaches and pains around your head and eyes. These headaches should disappear within a few days once your eyes become accustomed to your glasses.

You may also experience headaches if your glasses are the wrong prescription, so you should consult your doctor for a prescription review if your headaches persist for more than a few days.

Dizziness and Nausea

Your brain also has to learn to interpret the new images you are seeing when you start to use glasses, leading to dizziness and nausea. A simple way to prevent these symptoms during the adjustment phase is by turning your head towards the objects you want to look at instead of your eyes.

Avoid driving and other activities where poor or distorted vision can compromise your safety. You should also be careful when climbing down staircases and inclined paths until you fully adjust to your new glasses.

Living with eyeglasses is a fairly straightforward affair once you get the hang of it. You have to keep your glasses clean so blotches do not cause distortion.

Do not bend your frames and avoid scratching your lenses, as these can also cause blurred images. Ensure your glasses are always in the case when not in use.

What Is It Like to Live With Contacts?

Unlike glasses, contact lenses rest on the eye directly and have quite different care requirements. Contact lens wearers must learn how to put in contacts, handle, clean, and store their lenses for safe use. There are many types of contacts made from different materials for different purposes.

Living with contact lenses involves more work than glasses since most wearers have to follow a daily cleaning schedule. However, wearing daily disposable contacts allows you to bypass most of the maintenance demands.

You must adhere to contact wearing guidelines as to not endanger your eyes. Essential tips for living with contacts include:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with a mild soap before handling your contacts. Avoid oil or heavily scented soaps, and dry your hands with a lint-free towel to avoid bacteria from tap water that may cling to your lenses by getting into your eyes.
• Clean your lenses with the approved solution and follow the manufacturer’s set guidelines for cleaning your contacts. Do not use expired solutions or use a solution more than once. Store your lenses only in the approved container. Replace your contact lens container once it’s past the expiry date or damaged.
• If your contacts feel uncomfortable, it could be due to an underlying condition or the presence of foreign material. Take out your contacts immediately and rinse with the approved solution. Stop wearing them if they still feel uncomfortable, and consult your doctor.
• Avoid swimming or taking a bath with your contacts to avoid an infection. The same applies even if you only use your contacts for cosmetic purposes.  

Glasses or Contacts: Which Should You Choose?

Some people may find it challenging to decide which type of corrective eyewear to use. The correct answer regarding which eyewear to choose or live with depends on the individual. There are several benefits to living with glasses or contacts. Your choice of eyewear will depend on factors such as convenience, lifestyle, comfort, budget, and your sense of fashion.

Eyeglasses require little cleaning and maintenance, so it may be right for you if your schedule will not allow you to clean contacts daily. Wearing disposable contacts may also relieve you of the task of cleaning your contacts every day.

If you have budget concerns, glasses are more affordable than contacts over time, and you will have to spend even more to use disposable contacts. Contact lenses may be better if you play sports or have a very active lifestyle.

If you love to make a fashion statement with your eyewear, glasses may be your preferred option as they come in a myriad of fashionable designs and styles. You can also get creative with cosmetic contact lenses that allow you to change your eye color safely.

Living with glasses or contact lenses gets pretty normal after a few weeks. You don’t even have to choose as you can also switch between both types of eyewear. Your glasses could be for reading, while you put on your contacts when you are going out in the rain or about to participate in sports.

Conclusion

Living with eyeglasses or contacts has pros and cons, and the choice of eyewear is ultimately up to the individual. Both devices are easy to use and quickly become a part of your lifestyle.

If you choose to wear contacts, you may also want to have a backup pair of glasses for moments when your eyes need a break. Speak with your doctor before choosing between glasses or contacts.