Do I Need Eyeglasses if I Have Contacts?
When it comes to choosing between eyeglasses or contact lenses, you might have a natural tendency to think that selecting one excludes the other. It’s like believing there are only “dog people” and “cat people.”
But the truth is that you don’t have to limit your choice to just one or the other. In fact, if you choose contact lenses as your primary vision option, there are multiple reasons why it’s a good idea to have a pair of glasses ready when you need them as well.
We’ll be digging deeper into those reasons here, but we are always happy to help our patients determine their best options for vision correction and addressing other vision problems. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for an appointment or with any questions you might have.
But now, for our contact lens fans, here are some good reasons why you don’t want to be caught without a pair of glasses at the ready.
You May Not Always Be Able to Wear Your Contact Lenses
Contact lenses can be very convenient in many ways, but the “contact” part can become troublesome if you happen to experience some form of misfortune to your eyes.
By design, contact lenses must directly touch your eyes. And if you ever suffer a scratch, trauma, infection, inflammation, or other similar problem to one or both eyes, pressing contact lenses to them can be uncomfortable or painful. Wearing your contacts in this situation can even cause additional harm and may lead to vision loss.
When your eyes need to recover from an injury or infection, contact lenses are almost always not going to be beneficial – and often be an obstacle. Having a pair of glasses to wear during this time will free your eyes from additional irritation and help the healing process along.
If you’ve never had such a problem before, well, first we’re really glad you haven’t! But second – and more importantly – you don’t want to be caught without a pair of glasses if such a problem ever does occur in the future! If you don’t have glasses, you may not be legal to drive, which of course is a whole different problem!
Glasses Can Help You Rest Your Eyes
Our eyes need oxygen to be able to function optimally. The constant presence of contact lenses can be fatiguing to your eyes over time. Removing your contacts allows your eyes more access to air and an opportunity to refresh themselves. Having a pair of glasses at the ready can ensure your vision stays sharp during these rest periods while still allowing your eyes to breathe.
Switching to your glasses for an hour or two each evening is a good practice for winding down. Occasionally, going a full day or week without contacts can also be a good “reset” for your eyes. We can recommend an “off time” for your contacts that would best suit your eyes.
Improved Comfort During Allergy Season
While not necessarily an injury or infection, allergies can also be exacerbated by wearing contacts.
Your eyes may already be itchy and watery. Having to force yourself to insert and wear contacts during this time can be greatly uncomfortable. A backup pair of eyeglasses can make such times a lot easier to get through.
The same suggestion also applies whenever you’re in an environment full of dust and other irritants. Glasses can help you keep your eyes less bothered by the outside world, and even help prevent particles from becoming trapped against your eyeballs.
You Want to Make a Fashion Statement
We have previously discussed how satisfying it can be to have an extra pair of frames to accessorize with, and being able to switch between glasses and contacts is a similar situation!
A nice pair of frames can not only be something to relax in, but also beautifully complement a certain outfit or style. Don’t be shy about switching up your look when you feel like it. Surprising people with a pair of glasses is not a crime. In fact, it can be a focus of intrigue.
Glasses Are Much Quicker for Small Moments
So you have taken out your contact lenses and are settled in for the night, only to wake up an hour later realizing you need to get up and do something. Perhaps your child is calling out for you, or you wonder if you’ve left the TV on.
You’re certainly not going to take the time to put your contacts back in. The most realistic options in this case are “slip on the pair of glasses you keep on your nightstand” and “stumble around in the dark without anything.”
Having a pair of glasses nearby will always ensure you have a go-to when the unexpected happens.
You Can Be a Contacts Person AND a Glasses Person
Contacts can be an excellent vision correction option for many people, but that doesn’t mean excluding having a pair of eyeglasses as well.
And glasses don’t just have to serve as a backup or emergency option, either. They can become a part of your style and something you just decide to wear for certain times if you feel like it.
Now, don’t forget your sunglasses! Whether you wear them over your contact lenses or need a prescription pair, it’s important to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays of the sun. Summertime is almost upon us, so be sure to have some good shades handy!
Whether you are looking for contact lenses, eyeglasses, or simply not sure which you want to spend most of your time in, we are here to help you make the best choices for your needs, style, and convenience. Schedule an appointment at our Mattawan office by calling (269) 668-5558.
