Choosing Between Daily vs. Monthly Contacts

Daily Contact Lenses

Daily contact lenses are meant to be worn for just one day. When you're ready to remove them, simply take them out and toss them, no cleaning, disinfecting, or storage necessary. If care and maintenance for your contact lenses aren't high on your list, then daily contacts might be a good choice for you. 

Because you start each day with a fresh pair, daily lenses fit well into a busy lifestyle. They are convenient for people who travel often, wear contacts only a few days each week, or play sports and want a clean, comfortable pair each time they step onto the field or into the gym. Your eye doctor can help you decide if daily disposable contacts match your prescription, eye health needs, and day-to-day routine. 

Benefits of Daily Contacts

Because they're worn for just one day, daily contacts have a low risk of eye infection. They're less likely to incur a buildup of deposits like proteins and allergens, which can cause chronic inflammation and make the lens uncomfortable to wear. Plus, since they don't require cleaning and storage, daily contacts are more convenient than monthly contacts, saving time in your daily routine. You don't need to clean your disposable contact lenses before you put them in. When you're done wearing them, simply throw them away, or better yet, learn how to properly recycle them. 

After purchasing your daily contacts, you won't need to buy other contact lens supplies like contact solutions. These are necessary if you wear monthly contacts. Since there's no disinfecting involved, your eyes won't be exposed to lens care solutions, which can be irritating for some. 

Drawbacks of Daily Contacts 

Daily contacts are made of thinner materials, which may increase the risk of tearing. Because of this, it's a good idea to carry a spare set of lenses and a backup pair of eyeglasses. The upfront cost of daily contacts is higher, but you may save money in the future since you won't need to buy lens solutions to clean and disinfect them. 

It’s also important to note that throwing away lenses each day produces more waste than monthly contacts. You can reduce this waste by avoiding flushing your contacts and recycling them properly.

Monthly Contact Lenses

Monthly contact lenses are meant to be worn on a monthly replacement schedule, usually for about 30 days. You must insert a fresh pair and then wear the same lenses each day, as directed by your eye doctor. They must be removed, cleaned, disinfected, and stored each night. When the 30 days are up, you dispose of your lenses and start fresh with a new pair.  

Many people like monthly lenses because they become part of a simple daily routine, especially if they wear contacts every day and for many hours at a time. With proper care, monthly lenses can provide clear, stable vision and all-day comfort. Your eye doctor can help you understand how long you should wear your lenses each day and which cleaning solutions are best for your eyes.

Benefits of Monthly Contacts

One of the biggest advantages of monthly contact lenses is cost. The cost of purchasing monthly contact lenses is lower than the cost of purchasing daily lenses over the same period, especially if you wear contacts every day. For full-time contact lens wearers, this can make monthly lenses a budget-friendly choice.   

Monthly lenses also create less packaging waste than disposables that are thrown away every day. Their thicker material makes monthly lenses less prone to damage and tearing, which can make them easier to handle if you are new to contacts or have larger hands. Many monthly lens brands are also available in a wide range of prescriptions, including options for astigmatism and multifocal designs, giving your eye doctor the flexibility to match your lenses to your specific vision needs.

Drawbacks of Monthly Contacts

Monthly contacts are built to be handled more often and last longer than daily contacts so they're composed of stronger materials. This means that monthly contacts might feel thicker, and possibly less comfortable, in your eyes than daily contacts, making them less ideal for those with sensitive eyes.   

Since they're worn for longer periods, debris can accumulate on the lenses, interfering with clear vision. That's why cleaning and storing your monthly contacts properly is so important. Monthly contacts require maintenance and come with the added costs of lens cleaning solutions. The care involved can also add time to your schedule.

How to Determine If Daily or Monthly Lenses Are Right for You

Choosing between daily and monthly contact lenses comes down to how you live, how your eyes feel, and how much time you want to spend on lens care. Both options can be safe and effective when used as directed. Thinking through a few key questions can help you and your eye doctor decide which replacement schedule makes the most sense:

• Wear Schedule and Lifestyle: How often do you plan to wear contacts? Daily, long-term wear may make monthly lenses more cost-effective, while occasional wear for sports and special events can make daily lenses convenient. 

• Eye Health and Comfort: For those with allergies, or sensitive eyes, daily lenses can help limit the buildup of irritants. However, existing eye conditions like astigmatism or presbyopia may make monthly lenses more effective for better visual clarity. 

• Budget and Personal Preference: Monthly lenses often have a lower cost per lens over time, but daily disposables may be a be a better fit if you know you are unlikely to clean and store lenses every night.