Contact lenses offer several distinct advantages when compared to traditional spectacles, providing benefits related to convenience, visual experience, and adaptation.
Based on information from the BCLA (British Contact Lens Association), key advantages include:
| Benefit | Reason |
|---|---|
| Can be thrown away | Lost or damaged glasses are costly to replace |
| Fewer minification / magnification effects | The size of viewed objects is more constant with contact lenses ('real-world') |
| Less adaptation may be needed | After initial adaptation, changes in contact lens power need very little adaptation |
Let's explore these points in more detail:
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Reduced Replacement Costs: Unlike spectacles, which can be expensive to replace if lost or damaged, many types of contact lenses are disposable. This means that if a lens is lost or torn, it can simply be discarded and replaced with a new one at a relatively low cost compared to purchasing a whole new pair of glasses.
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Improved Visual Perception: Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of the eye. This proximity to the eye reduces the minification (for nearsighted prescriptions) or magnification (for farsighted prescriptions) effects often experienced with glasses. As a result, the size of viewed objects appears more constant and natural, offering a view closer to the 'real-world' size.
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Easier Adaptation to Power Changes: While there is an initial period of adaptation when first wearing contact lenses, adapting to subsequent changes in prescription power or switching between different types of contact lenses typically requires very little effort compared to getting new glasses with a different frame or lens design. This can make prescription updates smoother.
These benefits contribute to why many people choose contact lenses for full-time wear or for specific activities like sports where glasses might be cumbersome or easily damaged.
