The wearing of glasses has not always been a fashionable choice. As the old saying goes, “Boys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses.” Fortunately, times have changed, and eyeglasses are more useful, popular, and fashionable than ever before.
My own corneal abrasion never healed properly, which makes wearing contact lenses difficult. Wearing eyeglasses at first was a challenge for me, but as time went on I learned many advantages and subtle changes from wearing them.
Then what will happen to you when you switch to eyeglasses instead of contact lenses?
1. You’ll become more approachable.
I noticed this right away when I stopped wearing contact lenses – I was more approachable with glasses. When I was in the elevator, people stopped staring at their phones and started talking to me. At the coffee shop and the supermarket, people approached me. Also, I became a source of advice and guidance to strangers and colleagues alike.
What’s up with my glasses? I don’t know. As I sat in my armchair, I thought about the psychology of this. With eyeglasses, I was different in a profound way, because people form first impressions quickly.
Numerous studies show that people who wear glasses are perceived as smarter and more successful. This helps explain why they’re so approachable. Glasses also make you seem more human. Your glasses say, “Hey, nobody’s perfect,” which makes people feel more comfortable around you.
2. You’ll experience improved eye health.
Does your ophthalmologist wear glasses or contact lenses when you see him or her? They’re usually wearing glasses. There’s a reason for that. They know contact lenses are dangerous.
Contact lenses cover the cornea of your eyes, reducing oxygen flow. Over wearing contact lenses or other factors, such as sleeping with contact lenses, can lead to hypoxia, leading to red eyes, discomfort, temporary blurred vision, and inflammation. Additionally, you’re more likely to get an eye infection, which can be really painful. Eye infections can sometimes cause blindness. Wearing contact lenses can also make your eyes dry.
Fortunately, wearing glasses keeps your eyes from getting dry, which can happen when you wear contacts. Your risk of hypoxia-related complications goes down, which lifts a heavy burden off your shoulders.
3. You’ll enjoy more freedom.
One of the immediate advantages of wearing glasses instead of contact lenses is that you regain your freedom. If you wear contacts, you must plan and schedule. Eye drops, lens cases, and solutions are cumbersome to carry. Maintaining a schedule for removing your contacts and using rewetting drops throughout the day is also difficult. A great thing about eyeglasses is that they only require a rag and a sturdy case to clean.
Imagine you’re an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys camping over night or you’re planning a hike up a Colorado 14er. Weighing yourself down by carrying solutions and other contact lens equipment is not a good idea. Wearing eyeglasses will give you the freedom you require in these situations. Or maybe you spend a lot of time traveling for work. Taking a nap on a long flight without first having to remove your contact lenses in a tiny, turbulent bathroom is an amazing benefit you will certainly appreciate.
4. You’ll emphasize your signature look.
Artists, designers, and celebrities do not need to have a signature look. Everyone can establish a signature look, and wearing glasses is an excellent way to do so. When I think of a signature style defined by glasses, I think of John Lennon, Buddy Holly, Jackie Kennedy and Tina Fey. A character’s eyeglasses define their look, whether they are fictional or real, like Clark Kent, Claire Underwood or Noah Bennet.
Do you prefer preppy, hipster, classic, bohemian, high-fashion or rocker fashion? Are you unique in the way you dress? Starting to wear glasses allows you to define your own style and play up your individuality. You can, for instance, completely transform your look from “meh” to “geek-chic” with a pair of bold spectacles. Or, you can accentuate your look with a pair of gorgeous designer frames.
5. You’ll see better at the end of a long work day.
My laptop occupies a lot of my time each day. Before switching to eyeglasses, my contact lenses would dry out by the end of a long work day and I would feel as if I was looking through foggy windows. I’d get red, tired eyes and sometimes I’d twitch them. Wearing glasses virtually eliminates these issues.
A large number of people, including myself, spend many hours a day using computers and mobile devices, leading to Computer Vision Syndrome. Prolonged use of these devices contributes to dry, watery and tired eyes, and even blurred vision. When you wear contact lenses, you are more likely to experience these problems.
Especially if you choose modern glasses with anti-reflective coatings, wearing glasses will make your eyes feel more fresh and invigorated. Reduced glare makes it more comfortable to use computers and other devices for long periods of time. Glare is reduced when your eyeglasses minimize the reflection of light off their surfaces. In addition to improving your field of vision when driving at night, they also improve your reaction time.
6. You’ll save some cash.
The cost of wearing contact lenses is high. In the United Kingdom, you typically pay £200 – £300 for a yearly supply of Hydrogel lenses, depending on your prescription. Your yearly cost of solutions and drops will also be approximately £300. When you consider that most contact lens wearers also purchase a pair of prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, the costs really add up.
Cost of eyeglasses depends on the frame, the lens category, and the add-ons. Even so, it is worth noting that you can purchase many glasses online starting at £25. The cost of eyeglasses increases with progressive lenses, complicated prescriptions, and add-ons such as photochromic lenses that darken when you go outside. Contact lenses, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive. Taking all of these factors into account, most people who stop wearing contact lenses and start wearing glasses save money over time.
7. You’ll emphasize your best features.
When you choose eyeglasses carefully, you can emphasize your best features while deemphasizing the ones you dislike. Details, colors, and fits can completely change your appearance.
Maybe your eyes appear droopier than you would like or your forehead and upper-face are narrow. If you wear glasses with cat eye frames, you can naturally lift your eyes. You may also wish to emphasize your beautiful blue eyes. Choosing eyeglass frames in a color that contrasts from your blue eyes, such as copper or red, will highlight your amazing eyes.
8. You’ll be more memorable.
Being the same as everyone else is boring. Among the benefits of wearing glasses is that you will stand out from the crowd. Having a unique style makes you more memorable, and that’s an important asset in today’s competitive world.
Let’s say ten other candidates are interviewing you for the same position. What can you do to distinguish yourself? Wearing glasses will give you a unique, memorable look, so you’ll be noticed.
