Glasses or Contacts?

The first thing to know is that you can suffer from multiple visual disorders at a time—each needing its own correction—or from just one. But once the source of your problem is diagnosed, there are things to consider when choosing how to correct it.

Visual disorders treatable with single vision options

If you have a visual disorder like myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness), or an eye condition like astigmatism (imperfection in shape of your eye causing blurred or distorted close or distance vision), your eye care professional will steer you towards a simple vision correction for whatever distance.

For myopic or hyperopic patients, the correction is identical across the entire lens. Single vision lenses are also used for astigmatism, but an additional focal power is prescribed to make the lens compensate for astigmatism as well. So there are two different focal points in the same lens.

Another thing to know is that, with single vision correction, you have a choice between prescription lenses and contacts. How can you tell which is right for you?

See your Opto‑Réseau eye care professional to talk about ways to correct your vision. Keep reading for things to think about between now and your in-clinic appointment. 

Spherical and toric contact lenses

Spherical contact lenses provide uniform correction over the entire lens to correct close or distance vision problems. Toric contact lenses correct astigmatism.

Spherical contacts are designed to be last anywhere from 1 day to 1 month. So there are one-day contact lenses, like Precision 1 or Dailies^® AquaComfort Plus^®, as well as two-week contacts like Acuvue Oasys with Transitions, and monthly ones like Air Optix.

Contact lenses are popular and present lots of advantages:

Stellar for sports

Work up a sweat without the fog and say goodbye to helmet hassles. Wider visual field with no frame encroaching on the view.

Low-to-no maintenance

You heard me! Contact lenses can be easier to care for than glasses. Opt for one-day contacts like Precision 1, Dailies AquaComfort Plus, or Dailies Total 1. Toss your contacts at bedtime and forget them—there’s a fresh, new, and perfectly moisturized pair of contacts waiting for you in the morning.

Perfect for a multitrack lifestyle

Winter or summer, just slip on your sunglasses and get a clear view—whether it’s sunny, cloudy, bone chilling, or scorching hot.

Sunglasses are still essential to protect the health of your eyes and your face around them, but did you know that most contact lenses now come with UV protection? Acuvue Oasys with Transitions is one example. Not only do they protect you from UV and blue light, they adjust to ambient light levels to keep your eyes in the lap of luxury.

Single vision prescriptions eyeglasses

Glasses have become more than just an everyday piece of health equipment. Ever-advancing ophthalmic lens technology gives you great eyesight to go with ceaselessly surprising collections of ergonomically designed frames that are a veritable fashion accessory for expressing your style and personality.

Shopping for glasses is as important as ever. Trying things on in the clinic with your optician or assistant guarantees that all the boxes on your wish list are ticked. Measurements at your try-on and adjustments when your glasses arrive are two more clinic stops that can spell the difference between “ahhh” and “ouch.”

In-clinic lens selection while shopping for new glasses

Remember that although for single vision (unifocal) prescription lenses give you the same correction across the entire lens, there are still custom lens options for face shape, lifestyle, and your chosen frames. There are also specialized single vision lenses for specific purposes.

One correction, infinite possibilities

When you’re in the clinic shopping for frames, our counsellors never lose sight of day-to-day eyewear comfort. Your lifestyle, how you move, the shape of your face. Then they recommend lenses and lens treatments that go with your personal preferences and profile.

If for example your job puts you in front of screen for hours and hours or demands intense concentration and the ability to discern fine details, getting a pair of glasses with single vision lenses that include accommodation support will make that aspect of your job more comfortable. One of the payoffs for you should be much less eyestrain.

Another possible personalization: If you do things that involve going in and out of the house a lot, our in-clinic experts might suggest adding light-adaptive technology to your single vision lenses. Photochromic lenses like Transitions help you see better all the time, correcting your vision as prescribed while also darkening when you’re exposed to UV rays.

Your lenses do double duty, correcting your visual disorder and protecting your eyes from the sun and harmful blue light.

Do you really have to choose?

Despite all the advantages of wearing contacts, glasses still hold their own in the comfort category, as well being an essential fashion accessory.

Switching back and forth between glasses and contacts lets you have your cake and eat it too, particularly for patients with an active lifestyle.

For any questions about visual disorders or to look into the options that best meet your needs, ask your Opto‑Réseau eye care professional.