Consumer Tips

Pros and cons of wearing contact lenses

Union Plus Content Team

August 6, 2026

What are the pros and cons to wearing contact lenses?

You may be wondering if you should switch to contacts or if glasses work better for you. There's a lot to consider when deciding whether you want to wear contacts, from risks and benefits to convenience and lifestyle. Our partners at VSP^® Individual Vision Plans share pros and cons on wearing contact lenses to help determine what might be the best option for you and your family members. 

Are contacts safe to wear? 

Contact lenses are generally safe to wear, but like most things, they come with risks, such as an increased chance of developing eye infections. It is important that contact lens wearers care for their lenses properly to help reduce the risk of infections and keep their eyes comfortable and healthy. 

Wearing contacts may increase the risk of eye infections, especially when they are not correctly cared for. Most of the time, these issues can be corrected and cleared up with the help of an eye doctor, but not seeking care when you start to notice symptoms of eye infections can lead to long term and permanent eye damage.  

So, if you wear contacts and start to experience problems, contact your eye doctor immediately. 

Pros and cons of contacts 

Contact lenses are not necessarily better or worse than glasses. Both correct vision problems, and each has its pros and cons.

Some benefits of wearing contact lenses include: 

• Improved appearance: Some people feel they look better and feel more confident when wearing contact lenses instead of glasses.
• Improved vision: Contact lenses often provide better peripheral  vision than glasses since they stay in place when your eyes move. Your glasses may have some blind spots when looking to the side.
• Improved performance: Contact lenses stay in place when running and do not fog up when moving between temperatures like glasses do. Some people find this beneficial when going between the indoors and outdoors or when playing sports. 

Potential downsides to contact lenses include:

• Higher cost: Because contacts need to be replaced regularly, they can be more expensive than glasses over the long term.
• Cleaning requirements: To help your eyes stay healthy with contacts, you’ll need to follow careful cleaning and care regimens.
• Comfort: Some people may find putting in or wearing contacts uncomfortable or inconvenient for their lifestyle.

Ultimately, you should discuss the pros and cons of wearing contacts and your lifestyle with your eye doctor. They will help you decide if contacts are the best option for you before determining your prescription and fit.