<p>I'm not sure than anyone really notices how many people are wearing contacts vs. how many wear glasses. My only advice is that, even if you plan on wearing contacts almost all the time, still have a pair of frames that you like and can stand to wear. There will definitely be times when you don't want to have in contacts. And, as someone mentioned above, if you're doing anything in a lab setting, they want you to wear glasses (the theory being that if something splashes in your eye, it could get in between your eye and your contact and do damage).</p>
<p>I've worn glasses since fourth grade, and just last year (senior year of high school) switched to contacts. Not because I disliked how I looked in glasses, but they would just be a hassel to have to wear at times. I wear my contacts most of the time, but if I'm in a hurry (or just forget) then I'll wear my glasses, no biggie.</p>
<p>Also, a word of warning to contact wearers: It is very easy to lose your contacts.</p>
<p>I know of a guy who lost one on a marching band bus and had to march a show one-eyed. There was also a girl I know who lost one at college because it fell down the drain. The girl was lucky because she had her old glasses with her--wore them until she went home to get another contact. The guy? I don't even think he knew where his specs were.</p>
<p>And no matter if you wear glasses, contacts, or neither, be sure to wear your lab goggles. They'll protect you if you wear contacts as long as they fit snugly but glasses are still that extra defense barrier. Plus, in the words of a former labmate, "glasses and goggles make you look like a true science geek" (which I had to laugh at because I'm anything but a science geek).</p>
<p>I'd be careful if you play baseball too. Almost forgot the time a teammate got dust in his contact when he made a diving grab at third base.</p>
<p>I'd say the majority of the people at my school (UCLA) wear contacts, but glasses are still cool. It's true that no one really cares, even here, especially since you see people for 3-4 hours at most, and they'll be paying attention to the professors. It all depends on whatever's more convenient for you. I'd recommend having a backup of a pair of glasses if you choose contacts, or contacts if you have glasses, just in case.</p>
<p>No one cares in college. Do whichever you prefer.</p>
<p>I wear contacts and have been doing so for years, and there was no need for change. Also, because my eyesight is pretty terrible, I prefer contacts because I don't get that blurriness on the sides like I do with glasses. I will wear glasses on occasion, for reading or if I am pulling very late nights and my contacts are starting to hinder my vision.</p>
<p>I found out the hard way that I am one of the 5% of the US population that cannot wear contacts. I just cant get the darn things in my eyes, reflex is too great. I can't even put my fingers near my eyes without my eyelids closing immediately. Too bad.</p>
<p>I only wear my glasses in lecture, because my vision isn't terrible, and I only need it to read the chalkboard.</p>
<p>^ practice makes perfect!</p>
<p>I could NOT touch my eyeball at all with my finger the first week(s) or so when I got contacts. Whenever my fingertip even got anywhere CLOSE to my eyeball, my eye would shut tight and not open on reflex. I had to resort to all sorts of technqiues, such as forcing my eye open with both hands and sort of quickly 'popping' the contacts in... it really gets much easier, and is second nature now :)</p>
<p>^It took me a month to get contacts down well. I lost about 4 in the process :(</p>
<p>Reflexes? Meh. You're supposed to hold your eye open by grabbing your eyelashes/eyelid and pulling the bottom part down. So even if you blink on reflex, your eyelid does not actually close. It's all about practice and technique ;). You get used to touching near your eye, seriously. I thought I couldn't swallow pillows for the longest time, either...but basic things that 90% of people do...well the truth is...you probably aren't trying hard enough.</p>
<p>^ I think it would be pretty difficult for anyone to swallow pillows! :-P Just kidding, I know you meant pills.</p>
<p>if you put your mind to it young padawan, you can achieve anything.</p>
<p>(lol. swallow + pill = pillow :).)</p>
<p>^ That's the spirit! :)</p>
<p>In reply to the other posts, yes I did manage to hold my eyes open. I did manage to touch my eyeball too, but the problem was that if I attempted to put the lens on my eyes would water and it would not stick. I really only had a window of about 2 minutes before my eyes watered too much, and that was just too small. I tried 3 times a day for an hour each for the better part of a month, and finally my optometrist just gave up on me.</p>
<p>My eyes don't like the "hard" contact lenses for some reason. But the "soft" ones work perfectly fine, now that I'm used to them. The nice thing thing about the soft ones is that they're more disposable, so if you do lose one, it's not as big of a deal. Plus, they're easier to put in and take out in my opinion.</p>
<p>Oh, and my mom's an optometrist, so I'm a little spoiled when it comes to contact lens supplies (glasses are more expensive, though I do have a pair). On a trip once, I forgot my contact lens case, and went to buy one. I'd never bought one in my life before, because my mom has a million and one of them. Anyway, considering I just wanted a small plastic case - they're expensive! They're only like $6, and they're actually pretty nice. Also, I believe you can get cheaper ones from your optometrist for free (at least if your optometrist is like my mom), so don't let that deter you from contacts. Still, I never realized how spoiled (in that regard) I was till then...</p>
<p>I'm the same way with hard contacts. I have astigmatism, so my mom, who also has it, said I should get hard contacts (which is what she has). But I couldn't get them in my eyes, and the few times I managed it, they were so painful I had to take them off. But when I went to try soft contacts, it only took me a few tries to get them in my eyes. And except for now, when it's really dry weather and I'm tired, I can't feel them. Plus, they have helped my astigmatism a lot. Over the 1st year of wearing them, my prescription didn't even change enough to warrant a new one.</p>