Glasses vs. Contacts: Which Should You Choose?

When it comes to correcting your vision, you may wonder if glasses or contacts are best for you. It’s important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each, so you can make the best decision for you and your family.

What are the benefits of glasses?

Traditionally, glasses have been more cumbersome and less trendy than uncovered eyes. However, in recent years, glasses have gained popularity, with celebrities opting to wear frames without lenses as a fashion statement.  The wide variety of available glasses frames gives you the opportunity to express your personality through your eyewear.

Both glasses and contacts will help correct your vision, but glasses will most likely last longer. One or two pair of eyeglasses can last several years if they are cared for properly, while contacts need to be replaced regularly in order to prevent infection.

On the other hand, glasses can be easy to lose, have fewer benefits for your peripheral vision, and can fog up when you enter a steamy room.

What are the benefits of contacts?

Contacts are placed directly on the eye, and therefore they avoid many of the pitfalls of regular glasses. You’ll have a wider range of peripheral vision, and you don’t have to deal with the discomfort of frames on your nose and your ears.

Contacts can also be a good choice for people who play sports or do a lot of physical activity. With glasses, you’d have to worry about them getting knocked off or broken.

As a fashion statement, contacts are great for people who don’t like the way they look in glasses. You can even get contacts that change your eye color, if you like the idea of having purple, blue, deep brown, or other colors of eyes.

Contacts can cause infection if you don’t clean them properly or if you don’t replace them often. Not all contacts are the same, and some last longer than others, but you won’t be able to keep your contacts indefinitely. There’s also the discomfort of putting them in and taking them out—some people aren’t comfortable with the idea of poking at their eyes, which makes glasses a better option for them.

Which option is less expensive: glasses or contacts?

Contacts are generally more expensive than glasses, mostly because they need to be replaced more often. However, the difference in cost between the two isn’t that great.  However, depending on the frames you choose (designer vs. standard), glasses can end up costing more than contacts.

Both contacts and glasses will require a visit to the eye doctor, which can be expensive if you don’t have vision insurance. Without insurance, a typical eye exam at a large retail vision provider could cost as much as $194. When you add to that the average cost of glasses frames at around $150, it can start to get quite expensive. The cost for contacts can vary, depending on your vision needs and the type of lenses you choose, for example, if you are nearsighted, an annual supply of contacts could range between $200 and $300.

How can I save on glasses or contacts?

Because both glasses and contacts can be rather expensive, it is important to consider the options for lowering costs.

One of the best ways for you to lower the costs of eye care is to invest in vision insurance from VSP Individual Vision Plans.  Whether you decide on glasses or contacts, your VSP vision insurance will help reduce the costs and supplement your available funding for eye care.

Is VSP vision insurance worth the price?

Considering the cost of a visit to the eye doctor and the actual purchase of your glasses or contacts, VSP vision insurance can be convenient, flexible, and tailored to your personal needs. As you start the search for your perfect eye accessory, take a look at the VSP Individual Vision Plans insurance services and start your journey toward better eye care. Our VSP vision insurance plan wizard can help find the best vision plan for your needs.

Your vision. Your way.

Not covered for vision? Get an individual plan, customized for you – including where you want to use it: at the doctor, in a retail location, or even online.

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