Contact lenses are wonderfully convenient, and even the most complex corneas can be fitted to the perfect pair. You might be surprised to learn how many different types of contacts are available these days, from gas-permeable and extended-wear lenses to soft disposable lenses. And even amongst soft disposable lenses, which the majority of contact wearers prefer, there are contacts that can only be worn for a single day and those that last a full month. If you’re interested in soft disposable lenses, your eye doctor can help you find the best contacts for your needs, but you might find it helpful to explore the difference between daily and monthly contacts before your appointment.
The Difference Between Daily and Monthly Contacts
The primary difference between daily and monthly contacts is obvious: daily contacts are designed to be worn for just one day, while monthly contacts last for about 30 days if they’re properly disinfected and stored each night. This difference affects the products’ comfort, maintenance, and more. Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of each.
Pros & Cons of Daily Contacts
- No Cleaning or Storage Required: Because daily contacts are worn for just one day, you never have to clean, disinfect, or store them. Simply remove them and toss them in a trashcan! They’re ideal if you want a low-maintenance product.
- Supplies Not Needed: As you’ll never need to disinfect and store your contacts, you won’t need to spend money on contact solution or a contact case.
- Low Risk of Eye Infection: Proteins, allergens, debris, and bacteria are less likely to build up on daily contacts because they’re only worn for a day. This lowers your risk of eye infection and chronic inflammation.
- More Comfortable: Because you’re wearing a fresh pair of contacts every day, they’re exceedingly comfortable.
- Risk of Tearing: Daily contacts are thinner because they only need to last a day, but this means they’re also more prone to tearing. It’s typically a good idea to carry around a backup pair of contacts or eyeglasses.
- Higher Cost: You will pay more upfront for daily contacts. Although this will be offset a little by the fact that you don’t need to purchase contact solution, it’s important to consider how the price will work within your budget.
- Daily Waste: Throwing away lenses each day produces more daily waste than monthly contacts. It’s important that you never flush your contacts down the toilet. Recycling is encouraged.
Pros & Cons of Monthly Contacts
- Lower Cost: Monthly contact lenses are more affordable than daily lenses.
- Less Waste: Because you’re only using one pair of contacts each month, you’ll produce less waste overall.
- More Durable: Monthly contacts are slightly thicker than daily contacts because they need to last a full month. This thickness also means that they’re slightly stronger and less prone to breakage.
- Less Comfortable: Although many people find monthly contacts perfectly comfortable, some people find them slightly uncomfortable because they’re thicker and more prone to debris buildup. They may not be a good option for someone with sensitive eyes or dry eyes.
- More Maintenance: To keep your eyes healthy, you must clean and disinfect your contacts each night before storing them in a contact case. This doesn’t take long, but it’s less convenient than daily contact lenses.
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Finally, keep in mind that your prescription and any eye conditions may affect whether you’re a good candidate for daily contacts or monthly contacts. Your eye doctor can help you make the best choice for your vision and eye health.
Ready to schedule a contact lens fitting? If you live near southwest Missouri, contact Heffington’s. Since 1975, the Heffington family has been assisting the Springfield community with top-quality eye care and affordable eyeglasses and contacts. One of the unique features of our family-owned business is that we manufacture lenses at our own laboratory, giving us total control over the service and pricing, and we’re happy to pass our savings on to you. To learn more about our products and services, please get in touch with us online, send an email to asktheexperts@heffingtons.com, or give us a call at 417-869-3937 (Optiland location) or 417-882-3937 (House of Vision location). We look forward to hearing from you!