Can you wear contacts and glasses at the same time?

Stacking things often helps you achieve bigger, better results. Kids know this — stack enough blocks, and you get a magnificent tower. The more blocks, the more exciting the crash when you knock them down.

Musicians stack guitar amps for unique sound, investors stack interest to build wealth, and photographers stack filters for artistic results. Using the same logic, stacking vision correction options might lead to even better vision.

Can you wear contacts and glasses at the same time? Yes, and people often do when:

• Wearing reading glasses with contact lenses

• Wearing non-prescription sunglasses with contact lenses

• Wearing glasses as a fashion accessory over contact lenses

However, people aren't wearing glasses and contacts together for a stacking effect that leads to better vision. 

Find out when you can wear contacts with glasses, why you might want to and how to pay for both below.

Common reasons to wear glasses and contacts at the same time

Tech-heavy superheroes like Batman might double up on vision tools to get better-than-good eyesight — glasses to wear on top of contacts for infrared vision sounds exactly like something the Caped Crusader keeps on his belt. But for the everyday person outside of Gotham, the reasons to stack contacts and glasses are more practical.

1. Wearing sunglasses with contact lenses. This may be the most common reason to wear both. While many contacts offer some UV protection, sunlight can still be bright and uncomfortable when it hits your contact-clad peepers. A pair of non-prescription sunglasses helps protect your eyes, reduces glare and brightness, and might look cool with your outfit. 

2. Wearing reading glasses with contact lenses. You can wear contacts and reading glasses if you want to correct different vision concerns. Many people wear contacts to correct far vision and slip into a sleek pair of readers when they want to hit the books — or the screens. 

3. Wearing glasses or contacts for fashion only. Frames and contacts provide different types of aesthetic looks. Someone wearing prescription glasses might also wear colored contacts, and someone with prescription contacts might try out non-prescription glasses for a different style. 

4. Glasses and contacts to treat eye movement disorders. In some cases, individuals might wear specially prescribed glasses and contacts to help treat eye movement disorders or other issues. 

Do contacts give you 20/20 vision?

Yes, appropriately prescribed contact lenses can give you "perfect" vision. The purpose of glasses and contacts alike is to improve vision to 20/20 or very close to it. While results vary depending on each person's eye health and use of prescribed lenses, you can't double up on options to enhance your vision. 

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Why you might want both glasses and contacts

Having a pair of glasses if you wear contacts can be a good idea even if you aren't planning to wear both at the same time. Reasons to have prescription contacts and glasses on hand include:

• Giving your eyes a rest. Wearing contacts all the time can be hard on the eyes. Removing your contacts daily according to the recommended wearing schedule lets your eyes rest and can promote better eye health. A pair of backup glasses ensures you can see clearly after you remove your contacts. 

• Being able to see after an eye infection or injury. Itchy, watery eyes from allergies or colds can make contacts less comfortable, and even minor eye infections or injuries can mean taking a break from contacts for a while. Glasses, however, can be worn safely in these situations.

• Meeting sports, lifestyle, or work needs. In some cases, the activities you enjoy or job you do may dictate whether contacts or glasses are better. For example, contacts don't slip with sweat or cause issues with helmets, making them a go-to for athletes. However, chemical-heavy jobs may make contact lenses impractical. Whether your personal preference is glasses or contacts, you may want or need the other option in certain situations. 

Is it healthier to wear glasses or contacts?

Glasses and contacts are both tried-and-true vision correction options that are considered safe for most users. However, because contacts go in and out of the eye, wearing them can slightly increase your risk of injury or infection. However, following manufacturer instructions and wear schedules and practicing good contact lens care can substantially reduce those risks. 

Protect eye health when wearing contacts by:

• Washing your hands before you clean, insert, or remove your contacts

• Only using recommended lens solution to clean or store your contacts — never water!

• Replacing your solution every time you store your contacts

• Following replacement schedules correctly and don't try to stretch your contacts to save money

• Never sleeping in contacts that aren't designed for overnight use

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Can you get glasses and contacts at the same time with insurance?

Most vision insurance plans won't cover both glasses and contacts within the same benefit period. Usually, vision insurance covers some or all of a single vision correction option for the calendar year. A plan might cover a year's worth of contacts or a pair of glasses, for example.

To understand what your insurance covers, first check your benefits. Sign into your vision insurance portal or call the benefits or customer service number provided on your card. Once you know what's covered, consider ways you can get both glasses and contacts at the same time affordably.

Some tips include:

• Getting a new pair of glasses through your benefits every few years. You might only get a new pair when your prescription changes enough to warrant it, for example. The year you use your benefits to get glasses, you can pay out of pocket for contacts. The other years, you can use your insurance to help cover the cost of contacts.

• Use online contact exams. Some eye care providers charge extra if you want an appointment for both glasses and contacts prescriptions. However, if you know your prescription hasn't changed, you can renew your contact lens prescription with an online exam.

• Get discounts on contacts online. You can order contacts online to save money when paying out of pocket or use your insurance benefits to get contacts online. 

Did you know you can order contacts online? 

Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts!