Wearing glasses or needing to put in contact lenses every morning is a pain, but a necessary step for those of us who have less than perfect eyesight. After years of going back and forth about if I wanted to try out contacts, over the summer I finally decided it was time. Here are some of the things I wish I had known beforehand that might be helpful to anyone considering making the switch.
1. There are many different types of contacts:
Like many products on the market, contacts seem to have a million brands to choose from. And on top of that, there are also various types that you can get based on your personal preference. Daily contacts are great to start off with because they require little maintenance, but monthly contacts can be less expensive and less likely to tear.
2. It’s actually kind of difficult to put them in at first:
People tend to blink about 20 times per minute, and when you are holding a thin contact lens to your eye it can be tough to keep your eye open long enough to get it in. Don’t underestimate this step in the process but also know that it gets easier over time. It’s completely okay if it takes a few tries. Eventually it becomes second nature!
3. It’s an added cost:
Glasses can already be an expensive investment and contacts can be even more so due to needing to purchase them regularly. Prices range from about $200 to $1000 per year. It is important to do research on how much it might cost for your prescription and how often you will need to repurchase them throughout the year.
4. You might still want to wear your glasses sometimes:
Many contact lens wearers prefer to wear them every day and are rarely seen with their glasses on. However, it surprised me that I still wanted to wear my glasses occasionally. I like having the option depending on how I’m feeling or what I am doing throughout the day.
Being able to see clearly is a must. No matter whether you wear glasses or contacts, it is great we have so many choices on how we can improve our vision. Getting contact lenses can be a fun process and it is helpful to know what you’re getting into!