The Case for Glasses
Prescription glasses remain the most practical vision correction option for most patients. Here is why many Edmonton residents prefer them:
- Simplicity: No insertion, removal, or lens care routine. You put them on and take them off.
- Cost over time: A good pair of prescription glasses, properly maintained, can last two to three years. That is often less expensive than a year’s supply of contact lenses.
- Eye comfort: People with dry eyes, allergies, or contact sensitivity often do better with glasses because nothing touches the eye.
- Style: Glasses have become a genuine fashion accessory. Explore our designer glasses in Edmonton for styles that complement your appearance.
- Safety: No risk of contact lens-related infections, corneal abrasions, or improper handling issues.
The Case for Contact Lenses
Contact lenses in Edmonton offer advantages that glasses simply cannot match in certain situations:
- Full field of view: Contacts move with your eye. There are no frame edges limiting peripheral vision, which matters in sports, driving, and physical activity.
- Weather and activity: No fogging in the cold, no rain on lenses, no falling off during exercise. Edmonton winters make this a real consideration.
- Prescription options: Modern contact lenses are available for astigmatism, presbyopia, and even keratoconus. Almost any prescription can be fit with the right lens.
- Daily disposables: Daily lenses eliminate lens care entirely. You wear them once and discard them, clean and convenient for part-time wearers.
Do You Need a Separate Exam for Contact Lenses?
Yes. A contact lens exam in Edmonton is a separate appointment from your regular eye examination. Your optometrist needs to assess the curvature and health of your cornea, evaluate your tear film, measure for lens fit, and trial different lens types before settling on a prescription. Wearing the wrong contact lens, even with the right vision prescription, can harm the surface of your eye over time.
Read our guide to contact lens exams in Edmonton for a full breakdown of what that appointment covers.
Wearing Both: The Most Flexible Approach
Many Edmonton patients wear glasses most of the time and switch to contacts for sports, evenings out, or travel. This hybrid approach gives you the simplicity of glasses for daily wear with the freedom of contacts when you need them. Our team at Eyes On Optometry can fit you for both, ensuring your glasses prescription and contact lens prescription are both current.
Common Concerns About Contact Lenses
Are contacts uncomfortable? Modern soft contact lenses, particularly daily disposables and silicone hydrogel materials, are designed for all-day comfort. Most patients adapt within a few days.
Are contacts affordable in Edmonton? Daily disposables start at very reasonable prices, particularly if you wear them only a few days per week. Monthly lenses are cost-effective for daily wearers. Read our guide on buying contact lenses in Edmonton for a full cost breakdown.
Book an Appointment at Eyes On Optometry
The best answer comes from a conversation with your optometrist. Factors like prescription strength, corneal shape, lifestyle, and personal preference all influence the recommendation. Book an appointment in Edmonton and our team will help you weigh all of your options with no pressure and clear explanations.