Beginner's Guide to Contact Lenses
Everything you need to know before your first pair, including lens types, prescriptions, fittings, and first-week expectations.
Contact Lenses vs Glasses: Which Is Better?
For most people, the best answer isn't either-or, it's both. Here's what each option does best and how to build the right mix for your daily life.
When it comes to vision correction, deciding between contact lenses and glasses is a common dilemma, but it does not have to be an either-or choice. For most people, the best approach is to use both in different situations so you get the benefits of each. Contact lenses provide a wider field of view than glasses and do not fog up or get splattered by rain, making them an excellent option for sport and an active lifestyle. Glasses are lower-maintenance, carry a much lower risk of infection, and give your eyes a break when you are at home or resting.
Main Benefits of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses provide a wider, unobstructed field of vision because they sit directly on your eye and move with it. This means no frames blocking your peripheral vision. They are ideal for sport and an active lifestyle because they do not fog up in changing temperatures, do not get splashed in the rain, and will not bounce or slip off your face during physical activities.
Unobstructed field of view
Contacts move with your eye, giving you a full, natural field of view with no frames in your line of sight, which is a noticeable difference for driving, ball sports, and cycling.
Vision qualityBuilt for an active lifestyle
Contacts don't fog up when you move indoors from the cold, don't collect rain drops, and won't fly off your face mid-run. They stay in place where glasses can't.
Active lifestyleMain Benefits of Wearing Glasses
Glasses require significantly less daily care than contact lenses and are much less likely to cause eye infections because they never touch the surface of your eye. They are a reliable, low-maintenance option that also offers a degree of physical protection against environmental elements.
Almost no maintenance
No daily cleaning routine, no hygiene protocol, no replacement schedule. Put them on and take them off, and that's the whole routine.
ConvenienceMinimal infection risk
Because glasses never contact the eye surface, they carry virtually zero risk of microbial infection, which is a significant advantage over contact lenses if hygiene routines are skipped.
Eye healthPhysical protection
Frames offer a light physical barrier against wind, dust, and debris, which is beneficial in dusty work environments or on windy days.
ProtectionLimitations and Risks of Each
Both options come with trade-offs. Contact lenses carry a higher clinical risk that requires active daily management; glasses have practical limitations that become most apparent in physical or outdoor settings.
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Who Is Suitable for Contact Lenses?
Thanks to modern lens technology, most people who need vision correction can wear contact lenses safely, including those who require correction for astigmatism or presbyopia.1 Toric lenses correct astigmatism, and multifocal lenses address presbyopia. Both are available in daily, fortnightly, and monthly schedules from all major brands.
However, contact lenses are not suitable for everyone. Individuals with frequent eye infections, severe allergies, or chronic dry eye may not be good candidates.1 Always discuss your specific situation with your optometrist before making a decision.
Important
If you wear contact lenses full-time, it is strongly recommended to always have a backup pair of glasses with an up-to-date prescription. This allows you to safely remove your lenses if your eyes become irritated or infected, without being left without vision correction.
Suitability must always be confirmed with your optometrist, who will assess your eye health, tear film, and prescription before recommending a lens type or wearing schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to wear contact lenses every day?
Yes, it is generally safe to wear contact lenses every day as long as you follow the wearing schedule and hygiene routine prescribed by your optometrist. Always remove your lenses if your eyes feel dry, red, or uncomfortable, and never sleep in lenses unless your optometrist has specifically prescribed an extended-wear lens for that purpose.
Are contact lenses more expensive than glasses?
The cost comparison depends on your replacement schedule and prescription. A pair of glasses is a one-off upfront cost, while contact lenses involve ongoing purchases for lenses and, where applicable, cleaning solutions. For most wearers, the practical answer is to budget for both: glasses as a long-term investment and contacts as a consumable.
Are contact lenses better than glasses for sport and exercise?
For most sports and active hobbies, contact lenses are more practical than glasses. They do not fog up, slip down your nose, or get splashed in the rain. They give you a wider field of vision and stay in place during movement, which is especially helpful for ball sports, running, and gym workouts.
Can I switch between contact lenses and glasses during the day?
Yes. Many people switch between contact lenses and glasses throughout the day. You might wear contact lenses for work, sport, or social events, then change into glasses in the evening to give your eyes a break. The key is to make sure both your lens and glasses prescriptions are up to date.
Ready to make the switch?
Shop First-Time Wearer Dailies
Browse our selection of daily disposable contact lenses, the perfect low-maintenance option for new wearers transitioning from glasses. Fast Australia-wide delivery.
References
- NHMRC: Safer contact lenses. nhmrc.gov.au
- American Optometric Association (AOA): Contact lens care. aoa.org