Because when a large frame disappears from your face, people tend to notice.

Someone you were hoping wouldn’t recognize you has to walk over and say hi.

“You mean contacts aren’t a disguise? I mean, nice to see you too! We haven’t talked in such a long time. Gee, I wonder why.”

*Pokes bridge of nose; jumps when fingers hit skin.

Because the remedy to every vision problem, or any problem at all, is pushing your glasses just a tiny bit higher… wait! No glasses?

“You look so much older!”

If you’ve been told that you look 12 (at 14), or that there’s absolutely no way you’re old enough to operate a motor vehicle (at 17), take this as a compliment. Otherwise… well, I won’t go there.

“You look so much younger!”

Right, and switching from glasses to contacts is like having mediocre-to-low quality plastic surgery, judging from the responses that a few people give.

*Pokes bridge of nose again.

It’s perfectly normal to keep a hand close by your face, okay?

Stunned stares, followed by “Oh, you’re so cute!”

“Thank you! You know, it takes a minute to recognize me, and I’m glad you like the way my face looks when it’s not hiding behind a large frame!”

Stunned stares not followed by any attempt at redemption.

This is when you grin back and give a subtle wink. Hey, if they’re staring, then you have full license to creep them out.

Puts on glasses while wearing contacts; reels at how badly they throw off your vision.

Yeah, you know that your vision is that bad, but sometimes you accidentally give yourself a little reminder. A jarring reminder.

Does a double take when walking past a mirror

Can’t blame peers and friends then, huh? This transition will take a while to get used to.