Have you had any problems with them? Which do you prefer?

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000

Answers

I wear disposable contacts, at least until the end of the day when I can trade them for my glasses, as my eyes tend to dry out a bit if they're left in too long. (Oh, btw, that last remark is my answer to the "problem" part of your , plus the fact that I eventually started wearing disposables due to the fact that my regular pair of contacts was making my eyes feel as though they were on fire, so to speak! *vbg*)

I suppose, if given a choice, that I would have to say that I prefer contacts to glasses, as they are a *huge* plus in the looks department, not to mention the fact that they are less of an abstruct

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000

I wear glasses, and I hate them. I've needed glasses since I was 15, but until I was 25 I would go years without wearing them because I hated them so much. Now my eyes are so bad that I don't have any choice.

I've tried contacts, but I have such terrible allergies that contacts are pretty miserable for me. At this point I need gas permeables, and they're expensive, too.

I'm wearing wire frames right now because I got very sick of the way my plastic framed glasses look (they're sort of cat's eye shape, but nowhere near as cute on me as Jen's are on her). Wire frames were a mistake, though. They make the sides of my nose hurt.

I really, really hate wearing glasses. If I were a candidate for laser surgery, I'd jump at the chance. But I'm not. Alas.

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000

I have always had good vision. I probably should be an eye donor.

I once theorized I have good vision because I never wore cheap sunglasses. (well, I have worn them, but very briefly)

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000

Glasses -- I've worn glasses since junior high school -- migod, I've been wearing glasses for 45 years!!!

I did not consider contact lenses for years, too expensive, too fragile, but mainly did not think I could stand putting something in my eyes. Then, my son wore glasses but switched to contacts so I began to think about trying contacts -- and so while getting an eye exam I asked and the guy tells me that at my age I'd probably soon need bifocals. It too a few years but eventually I did need bifocals...

Wore bifocals for a few years, the kind where you can see the line, but I'm not vain (well, at least not enough to be upset about people being able to tell I was wearing bifocals. I did think about contacts - my eye doctor at the time encouraged me to get them -- but that would only have helped my distance vision, I would still have had to carry around reading glasses. Then one day I complained to eye doc that reading was fine and driving was fine, but when I looked at my computer monitor (which I tried to keep at arms length from my eyes) I had trouble focusing. He told me I had choices: keep my bifocals but get computer use glasses; get tri-focals; get variable focus glasses. So I opted for the variable focus (no-line) glasses. I've been wearing that kind for about five years or so. I hate them. It seems as if I am never looking through the exact right spot in the lens, always have to keep adjusting, moving my focus, moving my head, or just putting up with reading something that is slightly out of focus. I have threatened to go back to bifocals but the doc says I wouldn't be happy (and it would be an expensive experiment).

I was really excited last year because it sounded as if the latest laser surgery was getting really good, but at closer inspection I find that I am not a good candidate for that because I am extremely nearsighted plus have astigmatism in my right eye... and even if it worked perfectly and didn't leave me seeing a halo effect around lights, etc., I would still need reading glasses.

*sigh*

Jim

-- Anonymous, February 20, 2000

Both. Glasses as the default and at work. Contacts for bike riding, climbing, going out in the rain. Both seem to have their advantages and disadvantages. My eyes can get really irritated and dry when I wear the contacts all the time. Glasses are a pain when doing anything active.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

I wear glasses..... but i don't like to all the time... mine tend to feel heavy on my face and irritate my cheeks( they slide down ALOT) I don't think i would ever get contacts simply because i'm afraid to spend alot of money and loseing them... ( i would lose my head if it wasn't attached) *giggle* I like my glasses as far as the looks.. i think i look better with them on than off..... The only problems i've had is trying to keep my glasses away from my 3 boys... they love to play with them and put finger prints on the lenses WHAT A PAIN..... but at least i don't lose them... i would hate that.. i guess that's all from me... thanks for letting me say my bit...GOD BLESS......BEV

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

I've worn glasses since 2nd grade.

As the story goes, I went into the eye dr's office and when he asked me to read the lowest line on the chart that I could, I looked around innocently and asked "what chart?" The story also goes that he gave my mom some seriously dirty looks for that.

I believe that I'm legally blind without my glasses.. I'm only 18, so I haven't looked into laser surgery yet. What's the easiest way to find out if one is a candidate for that?

I wore glasses from 2nd - 7th grade and then contacts exclusively from 7th - 12th grades (I couldn't find any glasses that looked right on me) I was so exclusive about my contacts that I have been known to wear just one when I wasn't driving myself to school (and once when I was, but it's only just over a mile) out of vanity.

Less than a week before I left for college, I got a pair of the cutest red glasses, and have barely looked back at my contacts. They make me look older, and they're bright red! I mean, who wouldn't love them? *grin*

Has anyone who regularly switches between contacts and glasses noticed a distortion? My contacts tend to make people's heads look larger and/or generally funny. I am not sure what that's about.

The only time I miss wearing my contacts on a regular basis is when I'm in a mood to put tons of makeup on.. makeup that nobody would see behind my glasses. *sigh*

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

I started wearing glasses in Fourth Grade. I hated them. I got contacts in High School, and that helped. I was almost comfortable with extended wear disposable contacts, but I figured I had put enough money into my eyes. Based entirely on economics, I had RK surgery about five years ago. My vision was corrected and I still have no problems. After spending 25 years wearing glasses or contacts, I was surprised that I never felt incomplete without them. I don't miss them at all.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

I wear glasses...sometimes.

About two years ago I was shocked to discover that my vision had gone bad. I was driving with some friends at night, and they pointed out a sign to me in the distance. I indicated my suprise at the superhero vision. However, when one person lent me their glasses...doh! My 20/20 vision had gone south. From then until now I've worn simple glasses on and off. The only time I wear them really is at night, or when going to a restaurant. I like to wear plastic sunglasses during the day. Luckily my vision has not deteriorated that bad, so I can pretty much function without them most of the time. I feel fairly uncomfortable with them on, and I hope people think I look good with them, but they are somewhat of a pain to be mindful of.

...and I plan to avoid any laser surgery...yikes!

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

I got reading glasses last summer... My hitherto perfect vision had survived grad school, but law school seems to have ruined it. I'm supposed to wear them when I'm reading or staring at a computer screen, and they do help... and I look reasonably okay wearing them. I just hate admitting body decay, hate the thought of mortality... I'd get laser surgery if I had the cash... though I do have some fears that after laser surgery I'd be able to see the demons and hideous creatures around us from the other world...

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

I've worn glasses since 3rd grade. The only problems I've had with them is that I can't wear them when sparring in karate, and when I go to sword classes (outside in St. Paul), they fog up and then ice over. So, I wear contacts when I go to train, or fight in the SCA (my helmet doesn't fit over my glasses). I wore contacts for several years when I lived with my parents, and I thought they were supposed to itch all the time. I moved out and the itching went away; this is how I discovered I was allergic to cats. Problems with contacts: I don't get as good a correction with them, so I can't read well, but I can drive and fight, so that's good enough for me. They're a pain to deal with and they feel funny if I wear them too long; probably just time for some new ones.

Overall, I prefer glasses. Easier to deal with, more comfortable, better correction.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

For those of us who have really bad vision, these new high refraction plastics have been wonderful. My old glasses were 3/8 of an inch thick but my new specs look just like any other pair of glasses. I still wear contacts because I'm still looking through a couple of curved windows hanging on my face. The anti-glare coatings help but they can't stop the rain from splattering them. Vision is extra important for the carless and the defenseless.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

I wear both - glasses in work as there's solvents around and you really don't want to get that in your eyes if you're wearing contacts (of course you wouldn't ever want to get it in your eyes).

I got contacts originally as I hated wearing glasses. Now I don't mind. I usually put on my contacts going out. Once I found a good make of disposable monthly ones it got easier - it doesn't matter as much if you lose or rip one.

Although once I got my new titanium glasses with ultralight lenses - wearing glasses became more comfortable. You can barely tell they're on. Of course when one lens falls out I always get confused and think one of my eyes has gotten worse.

If I had to pick only one though I'd go with contacts. I do notice a slight difference in focus between them - my glasses are clearer and the lenses slightly fuzzy - nothing too bad though.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

Well, I've got you all beat. I started wearing glasses when I was 17 months old. I have a stupid conglomeration of genes that make up Stickler's Syndrome (luckily, I express only the loose joints and vision/retina problems). Anyway, my vision without corrective lenses is off the charts, and my glasses were always about an inch thick (still are, actually). I also have an astigmatism in each eye up in the mid 'teens, so each horrifyingly thick glasses lens also sports several layers of prisms. My parents wouldn't let me get contacts until 7th grade, and since then, I haven't looked back. I wear rigid gas perms now and forever, I'm sure. No infections, no torn lenses.

Just thought I'd share. I couldn't live without my glasses. Oh, and in response to the contact-glasses distortion query--big time (distortions, that is). Of course, my glasses prescription is about 6 years old while my contacts are less than a year. Perhaps that has something to do with it. Sorry

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

Yeah, I have the distortion problem, too. I feel like when I'm wearing my glasses, my depth perception is messed up and sometimes if I'm climbing up stairs, I'll get vertigo. That never happens when I'm wearing my contacts. I guess it's just because I'm more used to wearing my contacts, because they're the same prescription as my glasses.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

gee, if something ever happens to magnifying lens, I will rule the earth.

...just letting you all know.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2000

During a 5th grade field trip, I forgot my glasses. I couldn't read the signs at Corning Glass. Since then, I've worn them constantly.

There were two cases where I experimented with contacts. Both times, I thought they were a lot of problems and annoyed my eyes.

So, I'm back to glasses. I have several pairs of the same perscription so, I change them for random occasions.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2000

Glasses in third grade. Hard contacts in high school--they were a pain, I broke a few, but I liked not having to wear glasses. Starting in college, I stopped bothering--wore glasses until I was 27. Then I started wearing contacts to referee in (I officiate basketball). They didn't fully correct my astigmatism, but do you really have to see to ref? Now my new contacts correct everything fully. I've got two-month deals--I replace them every two months.

Now I like my glasses a lot, and I wear them at all times unless--

1. I am officiating, 2. I am doing something somewhat athletic, 3. I am outside in the rain for an extended period, 4. I am outside and wish to wear sunglasses.

Those are the only situation where I feel glasses get in the way, so I wear contacts in those situations.

Paul

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2000

I currently wear glasses, but only because my prescription has changed, my contacts don't accommodate astigmatism, and I can't yet afford to get new lenses. When my contact lens prescription was current, my vision was only slightly blurry because of my astigmatism. Still, the contacts were worth wearing. I went for contact lenses when I was 18 (been wearing glasses since I was 9). It was my freshman year in college. I attended a *very* hilly campus, was constantly working up a sweat (it took 30 minutes to walk from my dorm to classes), and my glasses would slip down my nose. I was sick of my glasses constantly slipping all over my face, so I got contacts which turned out to be a huge relief. I didn't even mind all the care involved in taking them out and cleaning them at night. Besides, most people I knew thought I looked better without glasses.

Not to mention, I also have oily skin so my glasses would slip down my nose around mid-day anyway, sweating or not. With contacts, I didn't have to worry about that.

Then there was never a problem with my glasses fogging up while washing dishes, cooking, or stepping out into humid air.

But now that my prescription is outdated, the contact lens vision field is more than a little blurry in my right eye.

I need to hurry up and get a new astigmatism-accommodating pair of contacts. Just talking about it is getting me motivated.

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2000

I love my glasses. I wear them every day.

I actually got a contact lens prescription last December. 6 months worth of disposable, they'll last me years, probably. I never wear them--haven't even opened on packet, yet.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2000

glassess bifocals with the line no problems adjusted in a few sew minutes -- guess I need them. lucky we have them I do not know why I waited so long to get a pair. wear them every day for about 15 hours. I will say again NO PROBLEMS If you need glasses get them

sylvia

-- Anonymous, March 03, 2002

I wear glasses because I am farsighted and can hardly read any small print in front of me.I have never really considered contacts.I don't really like putting things in my eyes.But,I think I look good with my glasses.

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2002