Are contact lenses better than specs?

At the British Contact Lens Association's next evening meeting, four speakers will debate the relative merits of each method of vision correction.
The event will be held at the Royal Society of Medicine in London on March 31, and will follow a half-day CET course, 'Management options for the anterior eye'.
Opening the debate, dispensing optician Professor Mo Jalie will argue that spectacles are a very convenient, non-invasive and relatively safe option, which are well understood and most compatible with current methods of sight testing.
Former City University lecturer Richard Pearson will investigate the advantages of contact lenses over spectacles and refractive surgery, with reference to the work of 19th century pioneer August MŸller, credited with fitting the first powered contact lens to correct his own high myopia.
Optometrist Brian Tompkins will say that non-spectacle options are the best means of correcting vision and that, of these, extended wear contact lenses offer both convenience and safety. He maintains that, after a successful day's wear with current extended wear lenses, there is no longer the need to take them out.
Putting the case for refractive surgery, ophthalmologist Will Ayliffe will review the many different surgical procedures now available and their relative safety. Controversially, he argues that surgery is becoming the best method for correcting patients with common refractive errors, as well as those with distorted and abnormal eyes.
The meeting is open to BCLA members and their guests, as well as to all delegates attending the afternoon course. See diary dates for more details.What is the best form of optical correction? Is it spectacles, contact lenses, extended wear contact lenses or refractive surgery?
At the British Contact Lens Association's next evening meeting, four speakers will debate the relative merits of each method of vision correction.
The event will be held at the Royal Society of Medicine in London on March 31, and will follow a half-day CET course, 'Management options for the anterior eye'.
Opening the debate, dispensing optician Professor Mo Jalie will argue that spectacles are a very convenient, non-invasive and relatively safe option, which are well understood and most compatible with current methods of sight testing.
Former City University lecturer Richard Pearson will investigate the advantages of contact lenses over spectacles and refractive surgery, with reference to the work of 19th century pioneer August MŸller, credited with fitting the first powered contact lens to correct his own high myopia.
Optometrist Brian Tompkins will say that non-spectacle options are the best means of correcting vision and that, of these, extended wear contact lenses offer both convenience and safety. He maintains that, after a successful day's wear with current extended wear lenses, there is no longer the need to take them out.
Putting the case for refractive surgery, ophthalmologist Will Ayliffe will review the many different surgical procedures now available and their relative safety. Controversially, he argues that surgery is becoming the best method for correcting patients with common refractive errors, as well as those with distorted and abnormal eyes.
The meeting is open to BCLA members and their guests, as well as to all delegates attending the afternoon course. See diary dates for more details.