If you wear contact lenses, you may have tried both monthly contact lenses and daily contact lenses before. You may have also asked yourself, “What is the difference between a daily contact lens from a monthly contact lens?”
(Milan, Italy)
In one corner, we have the undisputed champion of convenience – DAILY CONTACT LENSES!
In another corner, we have the undefeated champion of value – MONTHLY CONTACT LENSES!
So exactly how are daily contact lenses different from monthly contact lenses? Let’s explore the obvious and obscure differences.
THE OBVIOUS
Daily contact lenses are worn for just a single day. Pop them open in the morning, wear them throughout the day and toss them in the trash when you are done wearing them.
Monthly contact lenses are worn for the whole month. Open a new pack to start the month, reuse the same contact lenses by storing them in disinfecting solution each night, throw them out after one month of opening a new pack.
Daily contact lenses are famous for being more convenient than monthly contacts. Simply open a new packet each day and toss when you are done with your wear. No contact lens solution necessary, no need to keep a schedule or thinking about avoiding over-wear.
However, daily contacts are more costly compared to monthly contacts. A year supply of daily contacts is equal to 720 lenses for both eyes compared to a year supply of monthly contacts of 24. The quantity difference results in a huge cost difference too. Here is an estimate of price ranges for a year supply of contact lenses:
Daily lenses: $400 to $900
Monthly lenses: $200 to $450
Keep in mind, cost for contact lenses can differ depending on brand, package size, manufacturer’s rebate and more.
Lastly, because daily lenses encourage better contact lens wearing habits and you are not reusing the same lens over and over, daily lenses are the healthiest type of contacts for your eyes.
BONUS: Here are some ways you can avoid contact lenses related eye problems: CLICK HERE
THE OBSCURE
Back in 2001, Johnson & Johnson the makers of the popular contact lens brand Acuvue settled in a class-action lawsuit. In the end, Johnson & Johnson paid out roughly $860 million to consumers.
The reason behind the lawsuit? The suit claimed Johnson & Johnson had misled consumers and eye doctors that their Acuvue 1-day lenses had some type of special physical property that limited its use to 1 day when, in fact, they were identical to regular Acuvue lenses, which were bi-weekly contacts.
Acuvue 1-day and regular Acuvue lenses have since been discontinued but the question still lingers, are daily contact lenses physically the same as bi-weekly or monthly contact lenses?
After deep research, the answer is NO. Daily contact lenses are not physically the same as a bi-weekly or monthly contact lens. Here is an interesting example of a daily vs. 2-week disposable (note the same brand name “Oasys”):
Daily: Acuvue Oasys 1-Day With HydraLuxe vs. Monthly: Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus
Looking closely at the lens details, there are some obvious physical difference between center of thickness, Dk/t (oxygen transmissibility), BC (base curve) and diameter or size of the contacts. The biggest difference is the technology, which makes up the coating of the lenses themselves.
THE VERDICT
There are obvious and some obscure differences between daily and monthly contact lenses as mentioned above. Daily contact lenses are trending up and being prescribed more and more as our visual demands have increased due to technology. I predict by 2030, everyone will be wearing daily contact lens.
Not all type of contact lenses are made the same. Personally, I have tested and tried to wear daily contact lenses for more than one day. After the second day, the contact lenses just do not feel good anymore.
(Milan, Italy)
If you are extending your contact lens wear longer than what your eye doctor recommends, consider asking yourself this question, “What’s the worst that can happen?“
Remember your eyes are too valuable to be put at risk! You only get 2 eyeballs in your life. Enjoy your best vision throughout your life and see what really matters.
Watch Video: Which Contact Lenses Do Our Doctors Wear?: CLICK HERE
Text Bright Vision Optometry: (909)627-1111
Schedule your eye exam online today: CLICK HERE
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. Bright Vision Optometry is a family-owned & operated optometry office located in Chino Hills, CA 91709.