I have almost 20 years of wearing disposable contacts. But the past year I've been wearing glasses about 75% of the time. I do wear my contacts when hunting though. If you can get both I would. One thing about disposables if you go that route is you don't have get rid of them after X days or weeks. Mine are two week disposables and w/proper cleaning they will last a couple months, you can make them last a while by doing that and save some $$$. So one year I get a full years worth of contacts, the next year I get new glasses. Thankfully my work insurance pays for all of it so it costs nothing just rotate which I get each year.
^^^^PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS PERSON!!!!! NEVER EVER WEAR YOUR CONTACT LENSES MORE THAN YOUR OPTOMETRIST TELLS YOU TO. I can tell you from extensive experience that the first ulcer you get from overwearing your two week lenses will cost you 3-4 times more than just replacing them when you are supposed to. PERIOD! I can also tell you that you are most likely wearing an Acuvue brand lens based on the fact that it is a 2 week disposable. Between my fiance (an optometrist) and myself, 90% of our contact lens related problems are from overwearing Acuvue lenses. Take it from me, go to your next appointment, ask to be taken out of Oasys and fit with something that will last a month. Right now, you can get many 1 month replacement lenses for as cheap or cheaper than the crappy acuvue oasys.... and they last 2X as long.
OK, Rant over....
As far as glasses or contacts go, you have many things to consider.....
1) As far as getting LASIK for the first time or again; LASIK does NOT i repeat NOT last for a shorter period the older you get. Properly done LASIK has the same odds of changing if done at 18 or 48. The problem is that after 40-41 years old you begin to lose your near vision (some will also notice distance slightly worsening.) This is called "presbyopia" and happens to 100% of people no matter what. SO, lasik will correct your distance vision but you will still need readers. It is not that it lasts less, it is just that people expect it to fix everything and it just doesn't work that way.
2) should you get an "enhancement" to your LASIK? This question has many answers. It depends on your eye, your prescription, and you wallet. Many "custom" lasik procedures come with lifetime enhancements for free.... if this is the case with you, go for it, you have nothing to lose. If not, you have to weight the cost vs benefit of having clear distance vision but still needing readers. It is a personal preference.
3) Glasses:
+'s: Do not dry your eyes out
Simple, no solution needed
Do not have to get new Rx every single year
Simple near and distance in same modality
-'s: Fog, rain, scratches
Harder to glass
Glare
COmfort, sweating etc.
Some have a tough time shooting with their glasses
Contact lenses:
+'s: Easy to carry
do everything glasses do, but sometimes not as well (astigmatism and MF etc)
Light weight
Easy to glass
No glare/fog/rain/scratches
-'s: Dryness in some
have to carry solutions for some
can lose them
must have exam every year to keep rx current
Different CL types to think about:
1) single vision, typically distance only, and you throw readers on over the top
2) Multi focal, just like it sounds, distance and near in the same lens (a bit more expensive and tougher to fit)
3) Monovision, 1 eye corrected for near the other for distance, sounds terrible, works amazing in the proper circumstances. Cheaper than multifocal, and only option to see close and far in people with astigmatism.
Modalities
1) Daily disposable, no solution to use, no accumulation of dirt or allergens, thin, comfortable, easy to handle, safest. If I had it my way, everyone I see would wear dailies. Downside, slightly more expensive. THrow a few extras in the pack, car, office... you are always set.
2) 1 month disposables, good comfort, best option for astigmatism, multifocal options, cheapest, most readily available. Downside, cleaning and care NIGHTLY.
3) 1 month Continuous wear (air optix night and day or purevision), put them in, take them out 30 days later, put new ones in. No solutions, no cleaning, no fuss. Downsides, no astigmatism or multifocal options, most cannot do it without eyes drying out, most forget to take a backup pair or solution.
Here is what I suggest to my patients.... Get glasses first and foremost. If you need a bifocal, pony up and get a bifocal. Everyone needs glasses that are fairly current even if you never plan on using anything besides your contacts... if you get an injury, infection etc, and you dont have glasses.... you are hosed.
I suggest daily disposables to all of my hunters, they are hands down the most healthy and comfortable option, and they work great in the back country. But ANY good optometrist should try as many types/brands/modalities as it takes to get what you need out of contacts. Trust me, there is a very very small percentage of people that cannot wear contacts (and it is mostly because they are bad at putting them in haha)
SOrry for the long winded post, I just wanted to make sure that the facts were portrayed and that no one was led astray by rumor or incorrect information. I live for eyecare, I live for hunting, I will do anything i can to help mesh the two. PLease feel free to contact me (no pun intended) with any questions AT ALL about eyes/glasses/contacts etc. I am happy to help. (307)679-6832.... or stop by if you are ever in Great Falls Montana.
Joe
PS: if you wear Oasys lenses, I am sorry i picked on you, but seriously, they suck hahaha