Glasses or Contacts?

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Over the last 2 years, my vision is following the same path my hair took. It's gone. I really need to get some glasses. For all of you out there that have glasses, what do you prefer, glasses or contacts. I prefer comfort over looks, so any recommendations for either?

 

I use contacts for looks and for when I work (I work in a scene construction shop, so I need to wear protective eye gear that glasses obstruct), but my eyes don't work well with contacts - I have a lot of problems wearing them for more than 12 hours at a time, or multiple days in a row.

I wear glasses the rest of the time. Contacts give better vision (peripherals, etc) and are easier to snuggle people while wearing (lying on your side sucks in glasses), but glasses are easier because you just slip them on and off.

 

Contacts FTW. Screw glasses.

 

Neither! Get Lasik eye surgery!

Glasses are a total pain in the arse. I've had glasses since I was ~8 years old. Even if you get the most expensive lenses, they will still get scratched up. You'll constantly be adjusting them. You can't wear sunglasses over them...so you either need a pair of prescription sunglasses, or those clip-on things that look retarded. They fog up like crazy in the winter when you come in from the cold.
The list goes on and on....

Now, as for contacts, I've only been wearing them for a year or two. They're more expensive for sure. I just bought a year's supply** and even though my insurance covered $150 of the cost, I still had to pay an additional $45. You chances of getting an eye infection go though the roof if you don't properly wash your hands before you go to put them in or take them out. You have to clean/sterilize them, which is where the contact solution come in. I use Clear Care, which has 3% H2O2...it has to have a special case with a neutralizer (IIRC, it's platinum)...but it's $3-$4 more per bottle than regular solution. With Clear Care (or any other H2O2 based solution) you can *not* put them back in your eyes for at least 6 hours (if you try, you might as well pour H2O2 directly in to your eye...either way, you're going to be in pure agony...) If you're squeamish about touching your eyes, contacts are going to be a b**ch to put in and take out. They can tear (painful), they can roll up under your eyelid (extremely painful), and you can put them in inside-out (really irritating). Swimming with them in is like playing Russian Roulette.

So, even thought the cons of contacts are longer than glasses, I would still recommend them over glasses. As long as you're careful, they are waaaaaaaay better than glasses.

I'd still go with "blade free" Lasik eye surgery if you can afford it. There are several places around town that boast that you can walk out with better than 20/20 vision...but what they don't tell you is that procedure is the most expensive they offer. IIRC, it was going to cost me $2500 per eye. I think my insurance only covers 10% too.


(** - that's assuming the lenses last for a whole month)

 

Since no one is mentioning it, I'm guessing cost-wise they are a wash?

 

Glasses are about 250 dollars, if you get nice frames (not including cost for getting the prescription), contacts depend on the type. I use dailies because I only wear them for 3 or 4 days a week, so it is cheaper than buying monthlies. I got mine on sale and got them for 30% off and paid 60 bucks for 30 lenses, I believe, which is 15 days. So it takes me about a month to get through a box. Monthlies are slightly cheaper.

But if you break glasses (which you will), then it will be another 150-250 to shell out.

 

I wore glasses in high school and college, and have since switched to glasses. As far as cost goes, it depends on a couple of factors. I've never broke a pair of glasses, and so as long as your perscription doesn't change, you can use a single pair of glasses for a long time. I usually buy a new pair of glasses once every three years or so.

However, if you perscription is changing rapidly, you may need a new perscription every year. In that case, contacts may be cheaper.

I view glasses as more convenient and comfortable. Even if you use daily contacts (which eliminates the need to clean them), there is still a process to go through to get them in your eyes, whereas I can put on glasses in 0.5 seconds.

As Kitrax mentions, if you can swing the cost of Lasik, that is by far the most cost-effective way to go - it's much cheaper than a life-time supply of glasses or contacts.

 

^
This.

My eye doctor convinced me to get glasses last year (in addition to the normal contacts - just in case!) and I utterly despise them. I tried to wear them a couple times and, just ... no.

Strangely, I've never run into any of Kitrax's contacts troubles over 20 years or so of wearing them. I use disposables that I take out and stash in saline solution every once in a while anyway (no extensive cleaning or required waiting periods). Putting them in and taking them out is no biggie once you get used to touching your eyes (which imo is no biggie), getting them stuck in the back of your eye is not painful, just a PITA to get them out again imo. Never had an eye infection, never had them tear, and its easy to see if they're inside-out before you put them in. You can't open your eyes underwater while swimming because they might wash out.

IMO there really is no down side, but YMMV.

 

I have 2 uncles who both have got Lasik and are now both experiencing issues. It makes me want to stay away from that option, that's why I didin't bring it up originally, though thanks for the advice on it. I do have vision in my wife's insurance coverage, I will have to speak to a few others about Lasik before I make a decision.

 

My eyes are too dry for contacts.

 

Having done all three, I have to say glasses<contacts<laser surgery.

Glasses are very easily damaged (especially when drunk!), steam up, are useless in the sun (unless you fork out for the reaction coating) and surprisingly expensive if you do go for all the coatings.

Contacts - I've tried both the monthly and the monthly constant wear. Monthly are a pain (sometimes literally!). I tried the constant wear ones when I went back to them as the others were quoting a 'maximum' daily wear of 12 hours - not very practical. The constant ones were very simple and easy - just pop in and forget about them for a month.

Surgery - have had it done for about 4 months now. Vision nearly perfect - 6/4 (about 20/14 in the other system). Only issues I've had is that night vision seems slightly worse than before but not critical and a bit of a dry right eye.

 

Glasses

I was hoping to get contacts... REALLY wanted to get like snake eyes... dark blue... brown, etc. I have Hazel green and they change on there own. But would be fun to be blue eyes etc. My problem is my instinctive aversion to having something poke me in the eye. I can't seem to get past it. Eye waters... etc.. wind up no contact... but one really really red and pissed off eye.

 

I wear metallic gold, dark purple and bright cyan contacts. I like to get brightly coloured ones which don't tend to come on prescription.

I don't wear glasses, no matter how they're modified I've found them painful, I have dents from my first pair where the cartilage and bone they rested on just suffered under the pressure.

Contacts are more expensive, but I find them more comfortable and fun personally. You have more options really. As long as you look after them.

 

I'm about the same as Saber. Wear contacts when I want to look better, or when glasses would get in the way, but glasses otherwise. I find that they (the glasses) let me see better as well, despite being the same prescription, due to how easily contacts can irritate the eyes at times (especially with only occasional wear). That being said, I've had contacts for 10 years (yep, since I was 9 ) and when you adjust to them well they are probably the better choice. Just don't get trashed and forget to take them out, terrible the next day.

 

The problem with that mindset is that you're forgetting that there a dozen or so machines and procedures that can be used under the name LASIK. IIRC, IntraLASIK is the best *type* of LASIK...but again, the type of machine used is a huge factor. When it comes to your eyes/vision, you better do your homework and pay for the most expensive treatment available.

I always laugh at the "OMFG! $499 LASIK!!!!" ADs in the newspaper...

 

I am walking the same path as BoV, noticing how my eye sight is quite rapidly deteriorating. Not the most comfortable feeling. As of yet I mostly just notice it by a slight sense of unease while driving, especially in the dark. I just can't make out things as soon as I would like. Only other time I notice the decline is when watching sports on TV. It is subtle both while driving and watching sports but I can feel that it is there.

I have been meaning to go get my eyes checked out but never gotten around to it. I already knew that contacts were not for me, just can't see myself poking around in my eye and the very thought of pain or even discomfort in my eyes gives me a very very strong sense of unease. So I was resigned to getting glasses despite never really enjoyed wearing any external "props". I find any kind of jewellry uncomfortable, dont even wear a watch and well I just dont like having hard cold things attached to my body. I wear sunglasses in the sun though so I think I can get used to normal glasses. Reading your posts have made me curious about this laser surgery though, what exactly does it entail? Even a slight risk of negative side effects and I am out and I can't say that the idea of zapping my eyes sounds all that appealing. What does sound appealing is a one time cost, a one time discomfort and then never have to worry about my eye sight again.

 

Basically two main types, LASIK and LASEK. Both involve using a laser to reshape the back of your eye. Difference is how they get there. LASIK has a flap cut into the front of your eye, whereas LASEK uses an ethanol solution to soften the front of your eye.

I had LASIK done so I know a bit more about it. The flap can either be cut using a microtone - essentially a very sharp blade attached to a device, or it can also be cut using an additional laser. The laser method is 'supposedly' faster healing, but the microtone seems to have healed pretty fast for me.

With the actual surgery, you generally have two options. They can either reshape your eye according to your prescription giving a good result, alternatively they can fully map the back of your eye and reshape according to that map giving a 'perfect' match to your vision. This unsurprisingly costs more.

Healing process is variable. For me it was a week of sleeping with what were essentially swimming goggles to prevent the flap being dislodged in the sleep, two weeks of no exercise and 3 weeks of no strenuous or water based exercise.



Side effects - I haven't had any significant ones other than a slightly dry eye, but wikipedia lists several:

• Surgery induced dry eyes
• Overcorrection or undercorrection
• Very Low level vitamin D - Sun sensitivity
• Visual acuity fluctuation
• Halos or starbursts around light sources at night
• Light sensitivity
• Ghost images or double vision
• Wrinkles in flap (striae)
• Decentered ablation
• Debris or growth under flap
• Thin or buttonhole flap
• Induced astigmatism
• Corneal Ectasia
• Floaters
• Epithelium erosion
• Posterior vitreous detachment
• Macular hole

Cost as well isn't cheap. The from x amount claims that they seem to advertise are a load of ****. It worked out at double that for me per eye even without the extras (I had the advanced laser bit but kept the microtone). There are usually reasonable credit deals though.

Something to remember as well, is that it won't stop age related degradation - It'll correct your eye to perfect, but won't stop it worsening.

And just to really put you off here's a video of the procedure (Don't watch if you're squeamish!)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4kDC4sZ5Jg

 

I had a large, nearly 6' tall man waving at me yesterday at the train station and I didn't see him until he had to come running up to me, even then it took until he was next to me for me to recognise it was my lift

So I should probably get my prescription checked soon...

 

Glasses because they are cheap and easy to use

Contacts are a no no, as I don't like the thought of having to stick my finger in my eye to put them in. I know it is a weak excuse, but it works for me.

Surgery- If it goes bad, it goes really bad and that frightens the crap out of me.