Disposable Contacts: Which Options Are Right For You?
Perhaps you just received a prognosis of impaired vision, however, the notion of wearing cumbersome glasses every day is not very appealing to you. Or maybe you are a long time wearer of corrective eyewear, but the idea of laser surgery to enjoy a more active lifestyle seems a bit much. Fortunately, the time to make the switch to disposable contact lenses has never been easier, however, with such variety available, it can often leave the consumer wondering which kind is right for them.
When it comes to contact lenses, there are two varieties that are by and large the more popular options: daily disposable and monthly disposable.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Like the name suggests, this variety of lenses are ones that you wear once a day, and then throw them away.
Pros:
- They are much more convenient. These types of contact lenses will save the wearer time and money as they won’t have to worry about cleaning them, storing them, or purchasing solution.
- They are safer. Well, all contact lenses are inherently safe, the daily disposable variety don’t have the problem off accumulating build up, meaning they are more comfortable and come with less risk of complication.
- They are simpler. In the morning, all you have to do is put on a fresh pair, and at night, throw them away.
Cons:
- More expensive upfront. Although they may cost you more to initially purchase daily over months contacts, in the long run, they could save you money when you factor in solution and storage.
- You can’t sleep in them. Please don’t even try and sleep in daily contact lenses, they simply aren’t made for that.
- They tear more easily. Daily disposable contacts are typically made with a thinner material, making them more susceptible to tears.
Monthly Disposable Contact Lenses
Much like you’d suspect, monthly disposable contact lenses are a variety that can be worn for about a 30 day period before they need to be thrown away.
Pros:
- They are less expensive upfront. While this is true, it is important to also factor in storage and solution costs.
- Some monthly disposable lenses you can sleep in. Unlike the daily variety, some monthly disposable contacts are approved by the FDA to fall asleep in.
- More environmentally friendly. Anytime you have a product that requires less waste, you are doing the environment a favour.
Cons:
- They require cleaning and storage. Unlike daily disposable, monthly contact lenses need to be cleaned regularly and stored in a container when not in use.
- Easier to overwear. Unlike the simple rhythm of opening a fresh pair each day, monthly contacts come with the risk of over wearing them past their prime, which can cause eye damage.
- More expensive to replace. Accidents happen, and a torn lens can occur to the best of us. However, with a monthly versus a daily disposable, the cost of this mistake is greater.
While it is impossible to say which type of disposable contact lens better suits your life, you can rest assured that your local eye care professional has something that is just right for you.