Contact Lenses vs Glasses: Which Is Better for Your Lifestyle?

Deciding between wearing spectacles and switching to contacts is a significant choice that many Australians face. It is a decision that goes beyond simple vision correction; it touches on your daily habits, your sense of style, and how you interact with the world around you. For some, glasses are a fashion statement, a trusty accessory that frames the face. For others, they are a hurdle to an active life.

Contact Lenses

The reality is that there is no single right answer for everyone. Your choice depends heavily on what your day looks like. Do you spend your time in an office behind a screen, or are you out surfing at the beach on the weekends? Do you love collecting designer frames, or do you dream of waking up and seeing the alarm clock without reaching for the nightstand?

While glasses have their merits, contact lenses offer a level of freedom that is hard to match. They change the way you see the world, quite literally removing the barriers between your eyes and your surroundings. Let us explore how these two options stack up against the demands of a modern, active lifestyle.

The Freedom of an Active Life

Australia is a nation that loves the outdoors. We run, we swim, we play cricket in the park, and we hike through the bush. If you lead an active life, you know the struggle of wearing glasses during physical activity. They slide down your nose when you sweat. They bounce around when you jog. Worst of all, they can fall off and break during a high-impact game.

Contact lenses eliminate these distractions entirely. They sit securely on the surface of your eye, moving with you. This stability is a game changer for athletes and weekend warriors. You can sprint, jump, and tackle without once worrying about your vision correction.

Peripheral Vision and Field of View

One of the most immediate benefits you notice when you switch to contact lenses is the expansion of your field of view. Glasses have frames that block your peripheral vision. When you look to the far left or right, your vision is obstructed by the rim of the spectacles or the arm of the frame. Furthermore, if you look over the top or under the bottom of your glasses, things are blurry.

Contacts move with your eye. No matter where you look—up, down, or sideways—you are looking through the centre of the lens. This provides a natural, panoramic field of vision that is crucial for driving, playing sports, or simply navigating a busy city street.

The Fashion Factor: Sunglasses and Style

We cannot talk about life in Australia without talking about the sun. Protecting your eyes from harsh UV rays is essential. For glasses wearers, this presents a constant dilemma. You either have to carry a second pair of prescription sunglasses and swap them constantly, or you have to wear "fit-over" shades which can feel bulky.

This is where contact lenses truly shine. By wearing contacts, you have the freedom to wear any pair of standard sunglasses you like. You can buy the latest fashion frames off the shelf without waiting for prescription lenses to be cut. You can wear wraparound sports sunglasses for cycling or fishing, which are often difficult or impossible to glaze with a prescription.

For many people, this flexibility is the deciding factor. It allows you to change your look instantly. You can show off your eye makeup without it being hidden behind a lens, or you can rock a pair of aviators one day and wayfarers the next without the high cost of multiple prescription pairs.

Overcoming the Elements: Fog and Rain

Anyone who wears glasses knows the frustration of environmental changes. You walk out of an air-conditioned office into the humid afternoon heat, and your glasses instantly fog up. You open the dishwasher, and you are blinded by steam. You get caught in a rain shower, and your lenses are covered in droplets that make it impossible to see.

Contact lenses are immune to these weather issues. They do not fog up because they are kept at body temperature on your eye. They do not collect rain droplets. In a post-pandemic world where face masks are still occasionally worn in certain settings, contacts solve the annoying problem of your breath fogging up your glasses every time you exhale.

Comfort and Technology

A common hesitation people have about trying contact lenses is the fear of touching their eyes or the worry that the lenses will be uncomfortable. This is a valid concern, but technology has come a long way.

Modern lenses are made from advanced materials like silicone hydrogel. This material allows a high amount of oxygen to pass through the lens to the eye, keeping it healthy and white. They are designed to stay moist and comfortable all day long. Many people find that after a few minutes, they forget they are even wearing them.

Daily Disposables vs Reusable Lenses

There are different types of lenses to suit different routines.

• Daily Disposables: These are the ultimate in convenience and hygiene. You open a fresh, sterile pair in the morning and throw them away at night. There is no cleaning, no storage cases, and no buying bottles of solution. They are perfect for people with busy lifestyles or those who suffer from allergies, as you start with a clean slate every day.

• Fortnightly or Monthly Lenses: These are removed at night, cleaned, and stored in a case. They can be a cost-effective option for daily wearers.

Your optometrist at Lifestyle Optical can assess your tear film and eye health to recommend the material and schedule that will feel best for you.

Visual Clarity and Astigmatism

There is a myth that contact lenses cannot correct vision as well as glasses, especially for complex prescriptions. This is no longer true.

If you have astigmatism (where the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a soccer ball), standard contacts might rotate and cause blurry vision. However, modern "toric" lenses are weighted and balanced to stay in the correct position. They provide crisp, stable vision that rivals spectacles.

There are also multifocal options available. As we age, reading up close becomes difficult (presbyopia). Multifocal contacts allow you to see distance, intermediate, and near objects without the need for reading glasses or bifocals.

The Hygiene Commitment

While the benefits are numerous, it is important to acknowledge that contact lenses require a level of responsibility. Unlike glasses, which you can take off and toss on the table, contacts are medical devices that sit directly on your eye.

Hygiene is non-negotiable. You must wash and dry your hands before touching your eyes. If you use reusable lenses, you must follow the cleaning instructions strictly to avoid infection. For some people, this extra step in the morning and evening is a hassle they prefer to avoid. If you know you are prone to falling asleep without getting ready for bed, or if you work in an incredibly dusty or dirty environment, glasses might be the safer primary choice.

Finding the Balance

The truth is, it does not have to be an "either-or" decision. Most happy contact lens wearers also own a pair of glasses. They might wear their contact lenses to work, to the gym, and out to dinner, but switch to glasses in the evening to let their eyes breathe while they watch TV.

Having both options gives you the best of both worlds. You have the freedom and performance of contacts when you need it, and the ease and relaxation of glasses when you are winding down.

Contact Lenses

Questions and Answers: Common Questions About contact lenses in Australia

Q: Can I swim while wearing contact lenses?

It is generally recommended that you avoid swimming wearing contact lenses. Water in swimming pools, oceans, and even showers contains bacteria and microorganisms that can stick to the lens and cause serious eye infections. If you must swim, prescription swimming goggles are a safer choice. If you do wear them in the water, wearing tight-fitting goggles over the top is essential, and daily disposables should be discarded immediately after the swim.

Q: Does Medicare cover the cost of contact lenses?

Medicare typically covers the cost of your eye examination with an optometrist. However, it generally does not cover the cost of the lenses themselves unless you have a very specific, high-level optical condition that cannot be corrected by glasses. Most private health insurance funds with "Extras" cover will provide a rebate for your supply of lenses.

Q: I have astigmatism; can I still wear them?

Yes, absolutely. In the past, astigmatism was a barrier, but today there are excellent "toric" contact lenses designed specifically for this condition. They are stable on the eye and provide clear vision. Your optometrist will perform a specific fitting to ensure the lens sits correctly on your eye shape.

Q: Is it hard to put them in and take them out?

It can be tricky for the first few days, but like learning to ride a bike, your muscle memory takes over very quickly. When you go for a fitting, the staff will sit with you and teach you the technique. They will not let you leave with the lenses until you are confident you can insert and remove them safely. Most people become experts within a week.

Q: Can a contact lens get lost behind my eye?

No, this is physically impossible. A thin membrane called the conjunctiva covers the white of your eye and connects to the inside of your eyelid. This barrier prevents anything, including a contact lens, from sliding behind the eye. If a lens moves off the centre, it might get tucked under the eyelid, but it is always retrievable.

Conclusion: Your Path to a Successful contact lenses in Australia

Choosing between spectacles and contacts is about assessing what you value most in your daily routine. If you crave peripheral vision, freedom during sports, and the ability to wear any sunglasses you choose, then making the switch is a fantastic decision. The technology has evolved to a point where comfort and clarity are exceptional, making them accessible to almost everyone.