Daily or Monthly Contact Lenses: Which Is Right for You?
Are your current contact lenses the best option for you? Comfort, convenience, and fit can vary from person to person and may be affected by many factors. If you've been reconsidering your contact lens options, this daily vs. monthly contact lens comparison can help you make your decision.
Daily Contact Lenses Pros and Cons
Daily disposable contacts make wearing contacts easy. You simply insert a pair of contacts in the morning and throw them away before you go to bed.
Daily Contact Lens Pros
Benefits of wearing daily contact lenses include:
- Thin Lenses. Daily contact lenses are much thinner than monthly contact lenses, which may make them feel more comfortable.
- No Cleaning. If you hate cleaning your lenses every night, daily disposable lenses may be the ideal choice for you. Since you discard them every day, there's no need to clean them.
- Many Prescription Options. Daily wear lenses can be a good option if you have myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism.
- Convenience. If your lens tears or just doesn't feel comfortable, you'll simply take it out and replace it with a new lens. When you have a six- or 12-month supply of daily lenses available, there's no concern about wasting a single lens.
Daily Contact Lens Cons
- Lipid and Protein Buildup. Protein and lipid deposits tend to build up faster on thin disposable lenses. This usually isn't a problem since you throw the lenses out every evening, but it may affect comfort for some people.
- Can't Reuse Lens. Reinserting your lenses after removing them could increase your risk for an eye infection. In a research study published in Optometry & Vision Science, daily disposable lens wearers were asked to put their lenses back in the saline blister packs. The next day, 95% of the participants had at least one contaminated lens.
- Cost. Daily disposable lenses can be two to three times more expensive than extended-wear lenses, according to Time.
Monthly Contact Lenses Pros and Cons
Monthly contact lenses are worn every day for 30 days before being thrown out. This type of lens must be cleaned every evening.
Monthly Contact Lens Pros
Advantages of monthly contact lenses include:
- Thicker Lenses. Thinner lenses tear more easily and can be a little more difficult to insert. Thicker lenses are more durable, make insertion easier, and are less likely to tear when handling.
- More Prescription Choices. Although daily disposable lenses can be a good choice, they're best for correcting mild to moderate refractive errors, like myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. If you have a complicated prescription, monthly contact lenses may offer a better option.
- Cost. Depending on the type, monthly contact lenses may cost much less than daily disposable lenses. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, monthly lenses are a good choice.
Monthly Contact Cons
- Comfort. Some people find thicker lenses less comfortable than thin lenses. Although proteins and lipids don't build up as quickly on monthly lenses, lens buildup can interfere with comfort near the end of the month.
- Cleaning Schedule. Monthly lenses must be carefully cleaned and stored each night to remove proteins, lipids, and bacteria. If you don't follow the cleaning schedule recommended by your eye doctor, you may be more likely to develop an infection, like keratitis. Keratitis can cause pain, redness, and blurry vision and could damage your vision if it's not treated promptly.
- Less Convenient. You'll need to make sure you have an ample supply of contact lens cases and cleaning and storage solutions when you wear monthly contact lenses. Lens cases should also be replaced every three months, according to the American Optometric Association.
Whether you're due for a new contact lens prescription or you want to try contacts for the first time, we can help you choose the perfect lens type. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with the optometrist.
Sources:
Optometry & Vision Science: Contamination Risk of Reusing Daily Disposable Contact Lenses, 12/2011
American Optometric Association: Contact Lens Care
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/vision-and-vision-correction/contact-lens-care
All About Vision: Daily vs. Monthly Contacts: Which Are Better for You?, 1/10/2020
https://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/daily-vs-monthly/
Time: You Asked: What Type of Contact Lenses Should I Wear? 7/6/2017
https://time.com/4845993/daily-disposable-contact-lenses/
WebMD: How to Find the Right Contact Lenses, 3/8/2023
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/contact-lenses-colored-soft-hard-toric-bifocal
CNET: 6 Tips to Choose the Best Contact Lenses for Your Needs, 5/30/2023
https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/6-tips-to-choose-the-best-contact-lenses-for-your-needs/
American Academy of Ophthalmology: Contact Lenses for Vision Correction, 5/3/2023
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/contact-lens-102