Do you need backup glasses or contacts?
Whether you’re an avid glasses wearer or you prefer contact lenses, it’s a good idea to keep spares of both. Having a backup pair of glasses or contacts is essential in case of emergencies, eye irritation or infections.
Some other common situations in which a spare pair could be beneficial include:
- Losing your eyeglasses
- Breaking your eyeglasses
- Tearing a contact lens
- Running out of contact lenses
In any case, relying on a single pair of glasses or contacts can be risky to your everyday vision correction. Read on to learn more about the benefits of keeping at least two pairs of glasses or contacts.
The benefits of having a spare pair of glasses
An extra set of glasses is important for traveling and emergencies. Spare frames are also fun to have if you love fashion and the ability to change up your look.
Accidents happen – be prepared
Glasses can be damaged during strenuous activities. They may fall and break during a basketball or soccer game. They can be stepped on or even sat on and damaged in various situations. It’s also not that uncommon to lose your glasses.
Accidents happen. If your glasses need a repair, you’ll need a spare set while the damaged pair gets worked on.
Different glasses for different situations
Depending on your work, hobbies and vision needs, you may benefit from one or more of the following types of prescription glasses:
- Sports glasses or goggles can enhance athletic performance and protect the eyes from impact and injury
- Progressives (multifocal lenses) can make a huge difference for those who have both presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) and myopia (nearsightedness)
- Prescription sunglasses can be useful for those who don’t wear contact lenses but want sun protection and vision correction
- Computer glasses help reduce digital focusing stress by correcting your intermediate vision — the distance you sit from your computer monitor
Blue light glasses and blue light filtering lenses are also worth considering. While research into the ocular effects of blue light remains inconclusive, these options have grown in popularity. Many avid screen users report increased visual comfort with the use of blue light filtering lenses.
Talk with your eye doctor about the different types of glasses and how you can benefit from various lens types and features.
Fashion and personal style
Two pairs of glasses (or more!) are a great way to elevate your personal style. Some days you may feel bold and choose a daring pair of cat-eye glasses. Other days you may want to keep it simple and wear your signature frames. Many online retailers offer discounts on eyeglasses. This can help you save money while you keep your look fresh and your vision clear.
Traveling with backup glasses
A spare set of glasses is very important when you’re traveling. With so much touch-and-go, there is a higher risk of losing or damaging your frames or lenses. And when you’re away from home, replacing your glasses can be quite a challenge. Keeping a second pair in your travel bag can keep you secure in the event that you break your glasses, lose your luggage or run into any other unforeseen circumstances.
Why contact lens wearers also need backup glasses
Even if you prefer to wear contact lenses every day, you should still keep a spare pair of glasses updated with your current prescription. You may need to switch to glasses if you develop an infection, irritation or other eye issue. They're also important to have on hand in case you run out of contact lenses.
It may seem odd to keep your glasses updated when you primarily use (and prefer) contacts. But if you have an old eyeglass prescription or frames you don’t like to wear, you may be less inclined to give your eyes a break from contacts when they need it.
In some cases, continued contact lens use could further aggravate symptoms and delay recovery. To avoid this, make sure your spare glasses are up to date and comfortable to wear.
When wearing contacts isn’t an option
There are some situations when wearing your contacts may be a risk to your eye health. You should wear your glasses instead of contacts if you encounter the following:
- Eye infection, such as pink eye
- Pain or contact lens discomfort
- Dryness or dry eye syndrome
- Redness in one or both eyes
- Vision changes, such as blurry vision
- Irritation or feeling like something is in your eye (aside from your contact lens)
- Allergic reaction that affects the eyes
Call your eye doctor if you struggle with any of the above issues for more than a few days. Although these issues may seem minor, they could be symptoms of something serious. It’s important to seek medical advice and appropriate medical treatment if you experience changes to your eye health or vision.
Because contacts and water don’t mix
Contact lens use can make you more susceptible to acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and other eye issues from waterborne organisms and bacteria. AK is a serious infection that can eventually lead to sight loss if it isn’t treated.
To help protect your eye health, you should not wear contacts while:
- Swimming in a pool or lake
- Taking a bath or shower
- Relaxing in a hot tub
Wearing glasses in these settings instead of contacts is recommended. You may also want to consider getting prescription swim goggles if you spend a lot of time in the water and need continuous vision correction.
Running out of contact lenses
It can be an inconvenience to run out of contact lenses if you rely on them for daily wear. If this happens, you’ll need backup glasses to maintain clear vision.
Switching to glasses may be annoying if you prefer contacts. But that is not a reason to try and extend the life of your lenses:
- Do not use contacts past the recommended wear period.
- Do not sleep in your contacts (unless they are specifically designed for this).
Misuse and improper care of lenses could lead to irritation, inflammation and infection.
To ensure your next order arrives in time, it’s a good idea to set up a subscription or reminder for yourself. If you wait until the last minute, there’s a chance the lenses you need will be out of stock and further delayed.
Eye strain and fatigue
It’s common to experience eye strain or discomfort in certain circumstances, such as:
- Focusing on the road for a long period of time while driving
- Reading books with small print
- Completing tasks that require close attention
- Using a digital screen such as a computer, phone or tablet
Contacts may start to feel dried out after you focus on something for a long time. If this causes irritation or fatigue, switching from contacts to glasses may provide some relief. Contact your doctor if you continue to experience eye strain or tired eyes even after switching to glasses.
The importance of spare contact lenses
Whether you wear daily disposable, reusable monthly or extended-wear contact lenses, it’s important to have a backup set in case of an emergency.
Losing or damaging your contact lenses
Contact lenses are small and delicate, which makes it possible to drop, rip and even lose them during handling. Loss and damage are unfortunate but fairly normal occurences for any contact lens wearer.
Being stuck without replacement lenses can be inconvenient if you prefer wearing your contacts every day. Switching to your eyeglasses when you normally wear contacts can also be uncomfortable or odd for those who normally don’t have frames on their face.
Traveling with extra lenses
Spare contact lenses are important to have when you travel, too. An extra lens will be a big relief if you drop a contact on the floor or tear a lens on the go. Be sure to pack your bag with extra lenses ahead of time. Needing (and not having) a backup pair when you’re away from home can be quite a headache.
It’s also good to bring an extra (new) bottle of contact lens solution when you travel. Shifting luggage can cause bottles to open and spill, so it’s best to have a backup just in case.
You should never use water to store or clean your lenses. Aside from swimming in contacts, this is another way to expose your eyes to the risks of acanthamoeba keratitis.
SEE RELATED: Traveling with your contact lenses? These 9 tips will help
Hygiene and emergency preparedness
If your contacts become contaminated, you need to throw them away. If you drop your contact lens on the bathroom counter or floor, it can quickly gather particles of dust, dirt, bacteria and microorganisms that you may not be able to see with the naked eye.
Putting dirty contacts in your eyes is unsanitary and increases your risk of developing an infection. Even if you have cleaning solution, it’s a safer bet to get new lenses instead of using what fell on the floor. This means keeping spare, clean lenses is critical.
In the event that you develop an eye infection, be sure to throw away any contacts, solution or contact lens cases that you used at the time. Use new lenses once the infection heals. Speak with your eye doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Choosing the right backup glasses or lenses
Choosing a second pair of eyeglasses may seem like a chore, but it can be fun and exciting. You can give more weight to your lifestyle and fashion preferences when you pick out your second pair. And you can always rotate your frames if you end up loving the new frames as much as the originals.
Most eyeglass lenses come with an anti-reflective property to help reduce glare and improve clarity. But if this feature is not already included, it may cost extra to add to your lenses. If you don’t expect to use your backup glasses outside of emergencies, this lens coating may not be necessary on your spare pair.
Durability is another factor to consider with two pairs of glasses. If your primary pair breaks, an extra-durable second pair may provide peace of mind as you wait on a repair or replacement. Polycarbonate is a great lens material as they are very impact-resistant.
Final thoughts – be prepared for anything
Whether it’s a torn contact lens or a broken eyeglass frame, having backup vision correction is crucial. Spare glasses can also come in handy if you run out of contacts or develop an eye infection. No matter what situation comes your way, you’ll be ready.
Different eyeglass styles give you a chance to highlight the various activities in your life. Get one pair with specially tinted lenses to enhance contrast and color on the golf course. Use another pair to make a fashion statement.
Whether your priority is emergency prep or convenience (or both), a spare pair of eyeglasses and extra contact lenses should serve you well. To keep your vision prescription and eyewear up to date, see your eye doctor for regular eye exams.
