Whether you think of yourself as a “glasses person” or prefer to pop in contacts every day, there’s no wrong way to correct your vision. Your choice of eyewear is a personal one, and it depends on your style, comfort, and prescription. 

But there is something to be said about having both options on hand. It turns out that some situations may be a bit easier with eyeglasses, while contact lenses are better suited to other situations. Having both options allows you to keep your sight sharp, no matter what’s on your agenda. 

So, which one should you wear today? Read on to learn when you may want to reach for one instead of the other. 

Has it been a while since your last eye exam? Now’s the time to book an appointment!   

The Situation: You’re Going on a Trip 
The Pick: Eyeglasses or Both 

By all means, wear your contacts on vacation. But a pair of glasses is a must-have for your carry-on. In many ways, eyeglasses make traveling easier.  

“There are so many contact-related hiccups that can happen,” says Sonal Soni, O.D., an optometrist at America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses in Orlando, Florida. “Many people forget their contacts, drop them somewhere, or leave their solution at home.” Maybe you won’t end up needing your glasses, but it’s best to be prepared. 

The Situation: You Want to Make the Most of a Rainy Day 
The Pick: Contact Lenses 

Eyeglasses have a tendency to slip down on your nose when the frames get wet. Plus, raindrops on your lenses can make it tougher to see, says Dr. Soni. And you don’t want to have to keep taking off your glasses to wipe away the water. The temptation to just rub them with the hem of your shirt can be too much (which can scratch the lenses). Make things easier on yourself and start a rainy day with contacts. 

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Now’s the perfect time to book an eye exam, shop for new glasses, or stock up on contact lenses.  

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The Situation: It’s Allergy Season 
The Pick: Eyeglasses 

Pollen season can be tough on your eyes. “I definitely recommend glasses,” says Dr. Soni. Eye allergies, also called allergic conjunctivitis, can lead to itchy, red, burning, and tearing eyes, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. With that comes the tendency to rub your eyes constantly, says Dr. Soni. What’s more, contacts tend to trap allergens against the eye, causing more irritation. If your eyes are feeling itchy, switch to glasses — and ask your optometrist if allergy eye drops might help your symptoms.  

The Situation: You Just Got Home from Work 
The Pick: Eyeglasses 

Have a job that involves sitting in front of the computer all day? We blink less often while staring at a screen, which makes us more vulnerable to dry eye, says Dr. Soni. Contact lenses also affect your blinking: “Contacts are like a little shield on your eyes. They reduce the number of times you blink,” she says. Give your eyes a breather and take out your contacts at the end of the workday. 

The Situation: You’re Working Out 
The Pick: Contact Lenses or Sports Goggles 

Whether you have a pickleball game on the calendar or you’re heading to a spin class, contact lenses allow you to maintain good vision during your workout. They provide a wider field of vision than eyeglasses, and you don’t have to worry about glare. Practically speaking, glasses can slip down your face during exercise, especially if you’re sweating or turning upside down (as in certain yoga poses). What’s more, certain sports, such as racquet sports, can increase the risk of eye injury should your glasses get hit and break. Of course, your optometrist may also suggest wearing protective eyewear for more eye-threatening sports. 

The Situation: You Have an Eye Infection or Stye 
The Pick: Eyeglasses 

Pink eye (conjunctivitis), keratitis (inflammation of the cornea that can be caused by an infection) or a stye (a pimple-like bump at the edge of your eyelid) can strike at any time. And when it does, it’s a good idea to switch from contacts to eyeglasses, says Dr. Soni. This is more comfortable and helps reduce irritation in the eye. Plus, contact lenses can hold on to particles of bacteria that may have caused the infection in the first place. Don’t switch back to contacts until your symptoms have disappeared or your optometrist gives you the go-ahead. 

The Situation: It’s Humid Outside 
The Pick: Contact Lenses 

Your glasses fog up when there’s excess moisture in the air. And it can be especially noticeable when you’re walking from cold air-conditioning into humid outside air. If you know you’re going to be moving back and forth between indoors and outdoors, pick contact lenses, says Dr. Soni. 

The Situation: You’re Going Swimming 
The Pick: Eyeglasses or Sports Goggles 

“I just say no to swimming in your contacts,” says Dr. Soni. Even if you’re wearing swim goggles, organisms in the water can attach themselves to the contact lenses, creating a breeding ground for infection, she says. Instead, wear eyeglasses if you’re going to relax in a pool, hot tub, lake, or ocean. Or better yet, wear a pair of prescription goggles. That way, you’ll be able to dive underwater without damaging (or losing) your glasses. 

The Situation: You’re Going to a 3D Movie 
The Pick: Contact Lenses 

If you know that a 3D movie is in your future, wear contact lenses, says Dr. Soni. “Contacts will improve your field of vision a bit compared to wearing prescription glasses,” she says. Plus, it’ll be more comfortable than having to wear 3D glasses on top of your regular prescription glasses. 

Medically reviewed by Sonal Soni, O.D. 

See our sources: 
Eye allergy overview: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 
Types of contact lenses: American Optometric Association 
Study on how eyewear affects eye injuries: The Physician and Sportsmedicine 
Pink eye treatment: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
Study on eyeglasses fogging: Case Reports in Orthopedics