If you’ve worn glasses your entire life, or if you’ve recently started wearing glasses because of a change to your vision, you might feel tired of wearing them. Obviously, you deserve to see clearly, so you’ll need some method to correct any vision problems you may have. But what alternatives to glasses are there? And is there any way to make wearing glasses more comfortable?
LASIK Surgery
One option could be undergoing LASIK eye surgery.
LASIK eye surgery is designed to make a permanent improvement to your vision, thus bypassing the need for any glasses or other corrective lenses. Many vision problems are associated with misshapen corneas, which refract light incorrectly on the back of your retinas, resulting in blurry or otherwise imperfect vision. Using a laser tool, professional surgeons can reshape the cornea, correcting the imperfections leading to this refractive error and ultimately giving your eyes the power to see with nearly perfect vision.
Recovery can be mildly uncomfortable, but is generally quick and easy to manage. The procedure itself doesn’t take long, and because it’s an outpatient procedure, you can return home afterward. You’ll have to rest to allow your eyes to recover, and you may suffer from mild symptoms like eye dryness or discomfort, but after a day or two, these symptoms should disappear and you’ll enjoy the benefits of the vision you’ve always wanted, without the need for glasses.
Do note that for the eyes to completely heal, you’ll need to recover for several months. During this time, you’ll need to be a bit more protective of your eyes than usual and track any changes to your vision or symptoms. If you notice any aberrations, or if you experience severe pain, contact a professional immediately.
Most people have little to no side effects or complications after the procedure is complete. However, not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK surgery. If you have any existing health complications like eye health problems, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders, you may not qualify.
Generally, LASIK surgery is inexpensive, accessible, safe, and effective. Even so, some people don’t qualify and some people don’t like the idea of undergoing eye surgery.
Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are another common alternative to wearing glasses. You’re likely familiar with the basics of contact lenses already; these corrective lenses work mostly the same as glasses, but adhere directly to your eyeball, so you don’t need glasses frames wrapped around your face.
These days, contact lenses are highly advanced and come in many different varieties. You can get daily wear contact lenses, extended wear contact lenses, and contact lenses designed for specific types of people or designed for maximal comfort.
Contact lenses can be annoying to put in and take out, especially if you don’t like the idea of touching your eyes. They also require some ongoing maintenance and management, such as daily cleaning. As such, they’re less convenient than glasses in some ways, but they could be a useful substitute, at least on a temporary basis, if you’re tired of wearing glasses.
Options for Managing Your Glasses
There are also some options you can use for managing your glasses more successfully.
· Adjust the fit. If you find your glasses to be uncomfortable, the solution could be simply adjusting the fit. Any optometrist should be able to handle these adjustments for you, and in some cases, you can tackle them on your own. Once your glasses fit properly, the discomfort should go away.
· Use a strap. Even if your glasses fit perfectly, you may experience trouble with them slipping or falling – especially if you’re participating in athletic activities. The solution here could be using a strap, which is not very fashionable, but is extremely practical in some applications.
· Look into alternative options. Hate the way your glasses look or feel? Try a different pair! There are unlimited options to choose from – and custom options to get the perfect fit.
· Take breaks. Using your eyes for too long and for activities that are too intense can lead to fatigue; this is one reason why computer vision syndrome exists. If you’re not used to wearing glasses, it can be exhausting to wear them all day. One simple solution is to take regular breaks, removing your glasses and shutting your eyes to allow them to rest.
Whether you choose to modify how you wear glasses, incorporate contact lenses, or undergo LASIK surgery, there’s a path forward for you to avoid the discomfort and annoyance of wearing glasses. Be sure to talk to your ophthalmologist about which options are best for you.
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