According to The Vision Council, about 75 percent of adults in the United States use some type of vision correction. As the population ages and screen time for kids and adults continues to increase, people who are new to needing vision correction may feel overwhelmed deciding between eyeglasses or contacts.
"While both options provide needed correction, choosing to wear eyeglasses can provide many additional benefits," says Dr. Julia Dellaria-Terrill, an optometrist at SSM Health Davis Duehr Dean Eye Care.
Read below for Dr. Dellaria-Terrill’s list of the top five benefits of wearing eyeglasses.
1. Reduced eye strain:
As people spend more time working, learning and playing on electronic devices, eye strain is on the rise. Eye strain can lead to frequent headaches and blurred vision.
A pair of prescription eyeglasses focused specifically for the computer can reduce eye strain. It is also important to reduce blue light the few hours before bedtime. This can be done with eyeglass filters or on your electronic device settings screen.
2. Sun protection:
Technology advances now allow many options for sun protection in prescription lenses. Prescription sunglasses, polarized sunglasses and transition lenses are all great options. Harmful UV rays can’t be seen, but their long-term effects are extremely damaging to the eyes. UV protection is crucial to protecting your eyes from damaging radiation throughout the year.
3. Protection from irritants:
Dust, dirt, and other microscopic particles are all around us. Wearing eyeglasses can protect your eyes by creating a barrier to keep most of the irritants out, reducing the chances of your eyes getting irritated or scratched.
4. Convenient and cost-efficient:
Eyeglasses require less maintenance than contact lenses, which may be more suitable for some people, such as young kids.
Contact lenses need to be removed every night before going to sleep. Leaving them in too long can damage your eyes. It’s also easy to lose a contact lens while changing them, and they need to be replaced regularly.
Glasses are easy to take off and put on at night, and a good quality pair can last for years, only needing a lens replacement when your prescription changes.
5. Variety of fashionable styles:
With so many options, buying a new pair of eyeglasses can be fun. You can choose from a variety of frame shapes, colors and prints to match your style. Licensed opticians are trained in finding the best shape, style and color of glasses for you.
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FAQs
Glasses not only protect your vision from digital screens, but they also keep dirt and dust from getting into your eyes. Furthermore, eyeglasses can also help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Convenience – Unlike contact lenses, glasses are easy to put on and take off.
Why is wearing glasses good? ›
Glasses not only protect your vision from digital screens, but they also keep dirt and dust from getting into your eyes. Furthermore, eyeglasses can also help protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Convenience – Unlike contact lenses, glasses are easy to put on and take off.
What is the main purpose of glasses? ›
Eyeglasses (often known simply as “glasses” or “spectacles”) can help with a variety of vision issues. That includes difficulty seeing objects up close, far away or at varying distances. They can also help with distortions in your vision, age-related vision difficulties and eye alignment issues.
How do glasses improve your life? ›
They Improve Your Vision
It's time to get your eyes checked and get a prescription for glasses so you can improve your vision. You shouldn't have to live life without the joy of vision. Glasses will provide you with the ability to see clearly again, which is the most life-changing benefit of all.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of glasses? ›
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Glasses
In the long run they're also the cheaper option, because they don't need to be replaced so often. One of the biggest disadvantages of glasses is that they can get in the way of an active lifestyle and for many this can be a huge factor in the decision making process.
What are the positive effects of eyeglasses? ›
With better visual health and clarity, you can enjoy an improved quality of life. Eyeglasses can prevent drying winds, dust, and other foreign matter from entering your eyes, making them an effective way of protecting your eyes from potential irritations.
Are glasses healthier for eyes? ›
Because the world has used eyeglasses for centuries and contact lenses for less than 100 years, physical frames have the reputation of being safer than contacts. That is the general truth, as contact lenses run a higher risk of eye infection due to the lens being on your eye for long stretches of time.
Why does everyone need glasses now? ›
The blurriness associated with myopia is caused by eyeballs that have grown too long; in a stretched-out shape, eyes aren't able to properly focus images onto the retina. Researchers believe two culprits are to blame: the lack of outdoor play, and prolonged time doing up-close activities like using digital devices.
What is the main reason people wear glasses? ›
The most common reason for needing glasses is to correct blurry vision. Whether the blurry vision is in the distance (such as nearsightedness), up close (such as farsightedness), or both (such as astigmatism), glasses can be useful to provide clarity in these cases.
Do glasses help you focus? ›
The right eyeglasses prescription can correct refractive errors and reduce eye strain, fatigue, and pain. Your glasses don't permanently improve your eyesight, but they correct your vision as you wear them, sharpening your focus and making daily tasks easier.
Common signs you might need glasses include: Difficulty focusing on objects up-close, for example when reading. Holding things further away to read small print.
Do glasses improve brain function? ›
Good VA and wearing glasses seem to correlate with better cognitive function. Reading glasses can serve as a protective factor against cognitive deterioration associated with sensory (visual) deprivation in old age.
Does wearing glasses improve eyesight naturally? ›
While wearing glasses can definitely enhance your vision when they're on, they don't actually reshape your eyes or fix any underlying issues. They're like a helpful tool you can use whenever you need them, but they can't 'train' your eyes to see better without them.
Is there a downside to wearing glasses? ›
Glasses: Cons
They can distort vision, especially at the edge of the lens if you have a strong prescription or astigmatism. It also can be hard to see in the far periphery or sides of your vision depending on the frame you choose. You may not like the weight of the glasses on your nose or the pressure on your ears.
What's the point of wearing glasses? ›
Seeing clearly and being free from visual obstructions is the main purpose of wearing glasses. If you are in need of eyeglasses or contacts to help you see better and improve your quality of life, then Mountain Eye Care is the place for you!
Do you really need glasses? ›
Blurry vision is one of the first signs that you need glasses. If you notice that objects at a distance appear fuzzy, blurry, or just simply unclear, it's time to visit the eye doctor. Blurry vision can be caused by myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or many other eye conditions.
Do glasses really improve eyesight? ›
The short answer is no. But wearing them may help slow down the loss of vision caused due to the refractive errors. Eyeglasses can bring about a noticeable improvement in the quality of vision that can further boost your performance in daily activities such as reading, driving, and watching TV.
Why wearing glasses is attractive? ›
Glasses may improve your facial symmetry as they might hide puffy eyes, frown lines, old wrinkles, and many other imperfections. Guys with small eyes look better and more attractive with glasses. And some people immediately become stylish and improve their personality level when they wear glasses.
How do glasses benefit society? ›
The invention of eyeglasses has increased productivity over the ages. In the past, active, productive members of society had to stop working, writing, reading and using their hands for skillful tasks at a relatively young age. With eyeglasses, these members were able to continue their work.
What happens if you don't wear glasses? ›
The reason to use the glasses is to both make you see better and to reduce eye strain that may cause eye aches and headache as well as fatigue. Not using the glasses will not harm you. You just may have some symptoms described above and struggle to focus. This will not cause damage to your eyes.
