Why I Chose Glasses Instead of Contacts

Posted on December 20, 2011 Written by 18 Comments
glasses versus contacts

I started noticing my vision changing about 6 months ago. At first I didn’t think much of it, until I was squinting – A LOT. It didn’t affect my work or anything near sighted, but when I drive or try to see things further away it became really noticeable. I decided to stop putting it off and call around a few places to check the prices.

Finding the right company

I looked online and read a few reviews of different companies. Growing up I had a family eye doctor we all went to, but he closed his business several years ago, so I had to find a new place.

I checked places like EyeMart Express and Eye Glass World, since they have locations near my house, and seem to be fairly inexpensive. Of course when it comes to eye sight, I don’t want to buy something cheap that will injure my vision.

After speaking with the (very nice) receptionist I made an appointment at Eye Mart Express. I was out in about an hour and headed over to get my new prescription filled. The first person who greeted me was an older gentlemen who was super helpful.

I’ve never worn glasses or contacts before, and I had no idea what I was even looking for. With his help, I settled on 2 different frames. One that’s darker and a little more “smarter” looking and another in a lighter color with a fun shape.

Why I chose glasses

Less maintenance

Contacts require a certain amount of finesse to handle, care for and keep track of. I am pretty clumsy and can totally imagine myself losing them all the time, poking my eyes out, forgetting to pack them while traveling and etc…

Cost less money

Glasses are kind of pricey at first (mine cost $218) but it’s a one time purchase. At least until my vision changes or I break/lose them. Contacts are a finite resource and need to be replaced all the time. There’s additional expenses like contact solution that are factored in as well. It’s an ongoing cost.

Being a geek is sexy

Being geeky is totally the IN thing, and I personally embrace all the funny, wierd and quirky things about myself. I enjoy being a financial geek, and now a glasses wearing nerd. Granted, losing my sight isn’t great, but I’m not going to complain or be upset about it.

So, what do you think? Glasses or contacts? Please share any tips or suggestions in the comments, since I’m a glasses wearing noob!

Photo Credit: mary_thompson

Subscribe and Be Part of the Club!
  • Get access to exclusive content, not published anywhere else.
  • Tips on getting organized and being more efficient.
  • Advice on building a business around your life.
  • A personal invite to the Freelancers Club!

What are you waiting for? Become part of the club now!

Filed Under: Personal Finance Tagged: , , , , ,
  • http://add-vodka.com/ Daisy

    Cute!!! I have perfect vision, but people always tell me that it’s going to change. I hear a lot of “just you wait”‘s. Obviously, I love having perfect vision- I can see anything and everything. But I think I’d pick glasses too. When I was a little kid, I always wanted glasses.

    • http://carefulcents.com Carrie Smith

      Thanks Daisy! I like them a lot and I’m embracing the glasses nerd look. :) I used to have perfect vision for a long time but yeah it eventually catches up to ya. Lol Hopefully you can just buy the cheap nerdy non-prescription glasses to look all sexy and not have to actually NEED to wear them. :)

  • http://senseofcents.blogspot.com/ Michelle

    I have contacts and glasses, but I never wear my glasses besides when I’m right about to go to bed. I look really young in my glasses and they also hurt my nose and give me a headache, so those are the main reasons why I don’t wear them all the time.

    • http://carefulcents.com Carrie Smith

      Oh yeah, I’m glad I don’t have to wear my glasses all the time, it’s mostly when I’m driving. I don’t need them to work or read or anything like that. Otherwise I would have gotten contacts. :)

  • Kyra Beatty

    I’ve worn glasses since about 17 years, and I’ve worn contacts off and on for about 10 years.  Let me point out some things you may not have thought about.  Glasses are easily broken.  The ones in the picture above appear to be plastic, which means there are few moving parts.  (I plan to get some soon!)  Plastic and few moving parts means that if you bend them too far too many times, they will break.  Also, if you fall asleep in them by mistake, they can break.  If you put them on your nightstand/side table and accidentally knock them over with your hand/cover while you’re sleeping, and you’re so blind that you can’t even see your glasses without wearing you’re glasses, and you happen to step on them, THEY WILL BREAK!!!! 

    Also, you said $218 wasn’t bad for the glasses because you can wear them until your prescription changes.  Um most people’s prescription changes every year, therefore you will need another pair of glasses for $218 all over again.  Glasses are actually more maintenance because you have to remember to put them in the case (which I never do)  or they will get scratched.  You can’t see it if it’s a tiny scratch, but other people will.

    With contacts, you can spread your cost over the course of the year.  You don’t have to buy a year’s worth at one time.  If you only buy enough for 3 months at a time, then you won’t be out of a lot of money when you have to change prescriptions and buy more.

    Also contact allow you to change your look and still match.  If a person is really fashion conscious and doesn’t want to wear black with brown, etc., then contacts are better.  Your own eyes will never clash with the rest of your outfit, but your glasses can.

    That’s not all of the cons of wearing glasses, but I feel like my comment is already way too long :)  

    • http://carefulcents.com Carrie Smith

      You make some great points Kyra, and since I’m new to this whole thing I didn’t think of some of these cons. I am understanding more now that glasses can clash with fashion and outfits, but thankfully I’m pretty low maintenance and don’t care too much. I also don’t have to wear them all the time, just for driving.

      I did ask the doctor about my prescription changing and she said since everything looked healthy and I’m young I should only have to worry about that every 5 years. So the price to get new pairs is pretty good. Hopefully it stays that way but it’s something to think about.

      Now the breaking thing I REALLY need to be careful about. I’m very OCD about things and my glasses have a warranty on them that I paid extra for. But still accidents happen. It’s an added cost I will have to budget in.

      Thanks so much for pointing this out, I needed the help. :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/phylicialakole Phylicia Lakole

    I wear only glasses and I am afraid of getting eye infections. I am very low maintenance as well. I rather wear glasses because they are convenient. For my new glasses, I only had to pay $77 because I have vision insurance and had some discounts. I rarely wear my glasses unless I am driving. But from time to time I will wear them. Glasses kind of irritate me at times.

    • http://carefulcents.com Carrie Smith

      I never thought about getting infections or that contacts are probably irritating to eyes at times. That’s a good point. Like you, I only wear my glasses while driving so it’s not too bad.

  • http://www.newlywedsonabudget.com/ Newlyweds on a Budget

    I have both, but mostly rely on contacts. I just don’t feel as pretty when I have my glasses on. And I only paid about $20 for my last pair of glasses. Since I don’t wear mine very often, I don’t really care if they’re name brand or not, as long as the prescription is correct. And to be honest, I have a $200 pair and my cheap $20 pair and they look almost identical.
    I want to get eye surgery and am hoping to get it done next month! Then I won’t have to deal with contacts OR glasses!

    • http://carefulcents.com Carrie Smith

      It’s true that cheaper frames look just like the expensive ones. It’s definitely better to focus on the look and style than price. Eye surgery! Now that’s a thought. If I continue to have issues and if my vision gets worse that’s a really good (expensive) option.

  • http://dailymoneyshot.net/ Jana @ Daily Money Shot

    I don’t wear glasses or contacts but my husband does. After seeing what a pain in the butt the contacts are, should I ever need them, I’m going with glasses. I can wear makeup but the thought actually having to touch my eye freaks me out. 

    • http://carefulcents.com Carrie Smith

      I totally share the same thing Jana. I get all freaked out too thinking about having to touch my eyes all the time. Since I don’t have to wear my glasses all the time, I think I made the right decision.

  • Katie

    I started writing out a really long comment here, but I’ve decided to write my own post on why I chose contacts! Thanks for the inspiration! ;)

  • The Financialite

    Totally think that glasses are the cheaper option! I am in the market for new glasses as well and my last pair were rather pricey (read: super cute Prada glasses!) but I have had them for 5 years. Well worth the investment and I hate having to get new daily contacts every few months!!

    • http://carefulcents.com Carrie Smith

      I think paying a little more for something you will use and wear for several years is definitely worth the money. I haven’t tried contacts, but I have a feeling I’d hate the upkeep and reordering too. 

  • Rob philip

    Neither! 

    I wore glasses from when I was 10 until 22, extended wear contacts for another 20+ years and finally had lasik done and for the last 8 years I’ve had absolutely perfect vision. After a lifetime of being half blind I still wake up marveling at how well I see.

    If your eyesight is changing, in addition to corrective lenses you might want to figure out why. In my case it was clearly just the way my parents genetics expressed themselves. But it seems like you are a little old to have “genetic” short-sightedness kick in. You might step back and think about what other changes you’ve made to your life in the last 1-2 years that could induce vision change, and perhaps un-do those changes. I promise you that glasses become a complete PITA. Extended wear contacts are no big deal if you can wear them (I could) as they only require fiddling with them every two weeks. 

    But neither is by far the best option. 

    • http://carefulcents.com Carrie Smith

      That’s a really good option, lasik surgery. I haven’t even considered something like that. Also, I like your idea of thinking what has caused my eye sight to change. I spoke with the doctor who said other than my vision, my eyes were healthy. But like you said, it’s obviously something.

      I’ve had to same job for 10 years, working on a computer screen, so I doubt it’s that. My life hasn’t been any more or less stressed (at least that I realize). Hmm, I’m not sure. It’s definitely something to think about. Thanks for the input Rob :)