Pros and Cons of Contact Lenses and Eyeglasses: Which Pair to Choose?

by | Mar 22, 2022 | General | 0 comments

Optometrists today can offer consumers a number of solutions for their eyes, and included in the options are contact lenses. Advances in technology allow more and more people to wear contact lenses, and just sometimes, they can actually give better vision than spectacles. These days you even get continuous wear lenses for patients who want to sleep in their lenses.  Let’s go through some of the pros and cons of contact lenses, reading glasses for men, and eyeglasses and which would be the better choice.

Eyeglasses benefit from quicker deliveries

What are your personal preferences for correcting your poor eyesight? These days, eyeglasses are so trendy that you are no longer forced to choose contact lenses to look good. Glasses in all their many styles are considered a fashion accessory today, and places like Shade Station offer designer lenses and frames so attractive they enhance a person’s look. There are some designer lenses and frames so attractive they enhance a person’s look. With so many options available, it’s easy to renew your glasses and update your look while correcting your vision.

Eyeglasses do offer advantages over contact lenses, and one of these is they are more hygienic – there is less handling of glasses. Choosing to get glasses same day delivery from a reputed online store is the best idea in such a scenario. If you lose a contact lens, you’re pretty much doomed to wait to get another set. But the prescription eyeglasses can be delivered to you before you have to endure too many frustrations. Even if you have a complicated prescription, possibly with bifocal lenses, you can still expect to have them delivered to your door within just a few days. 

Glasses are much lighter these days

With eyeglasses, you get two types – the single vision glasses that correct distance issues and the multifocal glasses that help with near- and far distance issues. These days one of the pros of eyeglasses is that they’re so lightweight. You get cellulose acetate propionate, which is a hypoallergenic plastic known to offer more transparency and gloss than other kinds of plastics. 

Eyeglasses used to be made of glass, but nowadays they are made of plastic which is much lighter. They’re even lightweight after the lens has been treated with particular coatings that protect your eyes even further. However, one of the disadvantages is that plastic is far more likely to scratch than glass. 

Sweaty faces don’t handle glasses well

The beauty of contact lenses is that they adapt to the curvature of your eyes. There aren’t many people who will ever guess you’re wearing contact lenses. Some people get frustrated on a hot day and have a sweaty face, and they have to keep moving their specs back into place as they slip and slide on a damp, hot face. Having said that, these days, some sports sunglasses have this rubbery material known as Hydrophilic at the nose bridge part to help keep the glasses in place on the face when you sweat. 

That’s one of the advantages you get with contact lenses. It can be as hot as it likes, and they stay put in your eyes and save you from a lot of frustrations. This is particularly useful when you are exercising or playing sports. Contact lenses simply don’t get in the way of you getting on with sports and other activities. Contact lenses provide you with more natural vision than glasses, and one bonus with them is that they never fog up in wet weather or when your face is sweaty. 

Less handling and germs with glasses

Some people never seem to get the hang of inserting their contact lenses into their eyes. They pull the skin around their eyes and handle their contact lenses way too much before they eventually get them in. Of course, the optometrist has shown them and demonstrated to them the proper technique, but it’s something they just can’t master. True, many people wear contact lenses with little trouble, but one of their risks is getting an eye infection.

Contacts will require proper care, handling, and cleaning to avoid serious eye infections. When you aren’t wearing your contacts, they need to be kept in a special contacts solution in containers that can be tightly sealed. Always follow the guidelines suggested by your optometrist on how to store your contact lenses when not in use. 

The final choice lies with you

Choosing to wear either glasses or contact lenses is always going to depend on your personal preferences, such as comfort, convenience, and lifestyle. When comparing eyeglasses against contact lenses, you can’t say that one is better than the other. Each one has its pros and cons. 

Certainly, wearing glasses lessens the risk of getting an eye infection as there isn’t all that handling as what you get with contact lenses. Glasses are generally cheaper than contact lenses and much easier to replace too. Eyeglasses offer more protection against sunlight, but contact lenses have the huge advantage of not getting in the way of you simply getting on with life. 

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject:

Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.

🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

I’m so glad you asked.

DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.

The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.

There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.

There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.

The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.

And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.

I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.

I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.

That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

There are Merriment Makers everywhere.

People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.

Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.

I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.

And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.

There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.

I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com

🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle