In North America alone, over $15 billion is spent on corrective eyewear every year. Eyeglasses and contact lenses serve the same purpose; they help correct vision problems like astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, and presbyopia. It is relatively easier to use eyeglasses and they do not make the eyes more sensitive, but for some they can be a bit of a hassle. Contact lenses can be worn during physical activities, do not fog up as a result of the weather, and tend to be inconspicuous.
Hence, while both eyeglasses and contacts can make your vision clearer, there are a variety of between these two types of vision corrective eye wear, including their cost.
How Are Eyeglasses & Contacts Similar?
Astigmatism
Both eyeglasses and contact lenses can help correct astigmatism. This problem distorts your vision as a result of an irregular cornea. Many people think that astigmatism can only be corrected by wearing eyeglasses, but you can do the same by wearing contact lenses too. Generally, astigmatism is corrected by wearing GP contacts since they maintain and retain their shape, which makes them more preferable than softer lenses for this purpose.
Cleaning & Handling
Both eyeglasses and contact lenses need to be cleaned and handled well. You have to spray and wiped eyeglasses quite a few times a day, while depending on the type of contact lenses you are using, you need to take proper care of them to a varying degree. It is particularly easy to clean GP contact lenses and it barely takes any time.
Pros Of Eyeglasses
As mentioned, it is easier to wear eyeglasses. They do not cause infection, irritation or redness, and do not need to be sterilized. It can be particularly cheaper to treat vision problems by wearing glasses for those who have the right medical and vision insurance. Eyeglasses do not require frequent maintenance and do not have to be replaced frequently. Eyeglasses can also be worn around the clock and are known for not causing any of the problems that are sometimes associated with the use of contact lenses.
Cons Of Eyeglasses
Eyeglasses happen to be obtrusive. They are always visible, are prone to getting fogged up, and for some people, place an uncomfortable weight on your face. Eyeglasses can also get broken or lost if they are not properly taken care of.
Pros Of Contact Lenses
Unlike glasses, contact lenses are unobtrusive and can barely be felt even when being worn directly over the eyes. Due to their unobtrusive nature, it is possible to wear contact lenses during physical activities, which is generally not possible when wearing eyeglasses. Since they are worn right on the eyes, the make it possible to focus on the entire field of vision. When wearing contact lenses, no annoying reflections or obstructions appear, nor do they get fogged up.
Cons Of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses have to be cleaned on a daily basis using solutions that have to be purchased. Not keeping contact lenses clean can result in a serious eye infection that may require costly medical treatment. Contact lenses can only be worn for a certain time after which eyeglasses have to be worn and a new prescription has to be acquired annually.
The Bottom Line
By now, it is probably quite obvious that eyeglasses can often be more cost-effective than contact lenses. In order to break it down, the average cost of eyeglasses is approximately $300, and they do not have to be replaced until the prescription changes. However, it is recommended to visit an optician and an optician may charge up to $150.
The average price of contact lenses is approximately $50, although other types of contact lenses may cost more, and many contact lenses have to be replaced on a monthly basis or even more frequently. Moreover, contact lens supplies also have to be purchased, which also last for a month, and may cost approximately $15. It can be necessary to visit an optician every year for a new prescription, which means paying the same $150.
Thus, the average annual cost of wearing eyeglasses can be approximately $450 or more, while the average annual cost of wearing contact lenses may start from $900. Keep in mind that these estimates can vary under particular circumstances, such as if you end up damaging or misplacing your eyeglasses. Remember, also, that every situation is unique! We’d be happy to discuss your unique situation with you in detail, to help determine whether contacts or eye glasses would be more cost-effective for you personally. You can contact our office at (719) 576-5844, or use our simple online form to schedule an eye exam.
