Contact Lenses vs Eyeglasses: Which Is Right for You After 50?

Contact lenses vs eyeglasses is a common choice after age 50. Contacts give you a wider view and no frames, but glasses are easy to use and carry no infection risk. The best pick depends on your lifestyle and eye health.

This guide covers both sides. At Hindsight Eye Care in The Villages, Florida, we help you weigh them.

Vision needs change with age. After 50, many adults have these changes:

1. Presbyopia: A natural aging change that makes it harder to focus on close objects.
2. More dry eye: Our eyes make fewer tears as we age, which can cause discomfort.
3. More risk of eye conditions: These include cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

Each of these changes can tip the choice one way or the other, so keep up with your eye exams.

Contact Lenses After 50: Pros and Cons

Advantages of contact lenses

Contacts give you better side vision, and they do not fog or collect rain spots. They also have a natural look and suit an active lifestyle.

If you need help with near vision, multifocal options are available. See our page on multifocal contact lenses.

Disadvantages of contact lenses

Contacts carry a higher risk of eye infections. They can also cause dry eye discomfort. Because you handle them daily, you need steady hands to put them in and take them out.

Eyeglasses After 50: Pros and Cons

Advantages of eyeglasses

Glasses are easy to use and care for, and they can be a fashion statement. You can add blue light protection if you want it.

Glasses also carry no risk of contact lens infections. Multifocal options are available, so browse our eyeglasses.

Disadvantages of eyeglasses

Frames limit your side vision. Glasses can fog or get rain spots, and they can break or get lost.

Contact Lenses vs Eyeglasses: Side by Side

• Side vision: Contacts are better, because frames limit your view with glasses.

• Care: Contacts need daily cleaning, but glasses need only a simple wipe with a cloth.

• Weather: Contacts are not affected, while glasses can fog or get water spots.

• Infection risk: Contacts carry a higher risk, while glasses carry a lower risk.

• Looks: Contacts are less noticeable, but glasses can be a fashion accessory.

• Multifocal options: Both have them.

• Replacement: Contacts are replaced often, from daily to monthly, but glasses are replaced less often.

• Sports: Contacts are generally better, since glasses may need sports goggles.

What to Think About Before You Decide

1. Lifestyle: List the activities you do most.
2. Eye health: If you have any eye conditions, talk about them with your optometrist.
3. Comfort: Some people like glasses, but others like contacts.
4. Convenience: Picture your morning routine with each one.
5. Cost: Count long-term costs, including replacements and care products.

Why Not Wear Both?

Many of our patients use both contacts and glasses. For example, you might choose contacts for golf or a night out.

Then you might wear glasses to read or work on the computer. With both on hand, you pick each morning based on your plans.

Contact Lenses vs Eyeglasses: Cost Comparison

The contact lenses vs eyeglasses cost gap can be large. These are estimated yearly costs, and they vary by prescription, brand and your needs.

• Daily disposable contact lenses: $500 to $700

• Monthly disposable contact lenses: $200 to $300

• Basic eyeglasses: $200 to $300

• Designer eyeglasses: $300 to $500 or more

• Contact lens solutions and cases: $150 to $200

Regular Eye Exams Matter

After 50, regular eye exams matter for glasses and contact wearers alike. Our optometrists check your eye health and vision needs with modern tools, starting with a complete eye exam.

Make Your Choice

The contact lenses vs eyeglasses choice after 50 comes down to your lifestyle and your eye health.

Book your eye exam with one of our optometrists. We will check your eyes, talk about your days and help you find the right fit.

FAQs About Contact Lenses vs Eyeglasses

Are contacts cheaper or more expensive than glasses?

It depends on a few things:

• Starting cost: Glasses usually cost more up front, but they last longer.

• Long-term cost: Contacts often cost more over time, because of replacements and solutions.

• Insurance: Vision insurance may cover both, but coverage varies. See our page on vision insurance.

• Prescription changes: Prescriptions may change more often with age, so this can add to the cost of both.

For our patients, glasses average about $200 to $500 a year. Contact lenses average about $300 to $700 a year, depending on type and how often you replace them.

More Questions About Contact Lenses vs Eyeglasses

Which is better for computer use?

Both work. Glasses can have anti-glare coatings, blue light filters and lenses made for screen distance. Contacts give a wider view with no frame in the way, and you can add computer glasses on top.

Many patients over 50 prefer glasses for computer work, especially progressives or computer-specific lenses, because they can be set for the distance to your screen. This reduces neck strain. Read about computer glasses.

Is my contact prescription the same as my glasses prescription?

No. Three things differ:

• Position: Contacts sit on your eye, but glasses sit about 12 mm away, so that distance changes the power you need.
• Lens shape: Contacts are curved to fit your eye, so they need different measurements.
• Extra details: A contact prescription includes the base curve and diameter, which glasses do not need.

After 50, we often must account for presbyopia. That may mean multifocal contacts or progressive lenses in glasses, and each needs its own prescription.

Is it better to wear glasses or contacts?

It depends on you. Glasses are low maintenance, carry no infection risk, protect your eyes from the environment and may be more comfortable with dry eyes. Contacts give a wider field of view, do not get in the way of sports, do not fog and can look more natural.

If dryness is a concern, read about dry eye syndrome in older adults.