When it comes to corrective vision, there is a common debate between glasses and contacts, and in many cases the debate focuses largely on style. Certain people regard glasses as fashion accessories, and enjoy the opportunity to wear them on a daily basis. Others find contacts to be more versatile and ultimately more appealing from a style and fashion standpoint. There are certainly arguments to be made both ways, but for the most part it usually winds up being a unique and personal decision.
What’s interesting, though, is that this debate seems to pertain in large part only to young people. There is a certain unspoken assumption – generally – that older people tend to opt for glasses without a care in the world. However, this is not the case. Many people who are growing older would much prefer to wear contacts, whether for fashion’s sake or for mere personal preference! The problem is just that in the past not many contact lens options have been well-suited to the most common eye issues for aging adults. Fortunately, that has all changed. Here are a few words on how contact lenses now address two of the most common problems in aging eyes:
Essentially another term for advancing farsightedness, presbyopia is one of the most common specific types of eye deterioration. Presbyopia can cause a general imbalance in vision, which is why so many elderly individuals depend on multifocal glasses or separate reading glasses. However, thanks to more advanced contact lens options, such as the Acuvue Oasys contacts, this particular vision defect can now be addressed without multifocal glasses or reading glasses. Many older contact lens patients find that they can use these lenses and no longer need reading glasses to focus on small or close-up text.
Many aging individuals who have previously preferred contact lenses to other corrective vision options eventually give up lenses due to discomfort that results from dry eye.
Dry eye, what it sounds like is very common in people as they grow older, and can make contact lenses far more irritating on the surface of the eye. Again, however, this issue has been largely corrected with improved contact lenses. The issue cannot always be completely corrected, but newer, more advanced contact lenses do far less to irritate even eyes suffering from dry eye, which means that many seniors may be able to continue to wear lenses.
Ultimately, as mentioned, the contacts vs. glasses debate comes down to personal preference. But if you’re aging and want to stick with the contacts you’ve always enjoyed – or even if you’re a grandparent and you’re tired of your little grandchildren knocking off your glasses! – it’s important to recognize that there are still many options for seniors. Gone are the days when age could dictate corrective vision entirely – so read up on your options and make a choice based solely on your own desires.
