Disposable contact lenses are extremely popular these days. As an alternative to hard lenses of the past and rigid gas permeable lenses of today, they are generally considered to be far superior in comfort and wearability. They come in many different varieties, and it is important to know which is best for you. Below, our trusted Fruit Cove eyecare professionals give you a brief explanation of some of the major types of disposable contact lenses on the market today.
Bi-Weekly and Monthly Contact Lenses
Monthly and bi-weekly disposable contact lenses require more upkeep than daily disposables, requiring daily cleaning and storage in proper contact lens solution. They are, however, more economical overall, since less material goes into making them and you do not have to buy contact lenses as often. Additionally, monthly and bi-weekly contact lenses offer the possibility of extended wear, which allows up to 30 days of continuous day and night contact lens wear, without the necessity of taking them out.
Daily Disposables
Although more expensive than monthly and bi-weekly contacts, daily disposable contact lenses are an increasingly popular alternative, because they offer the same crystal clear vision, without the need to ensure proper storage and cleaning at the end of each day. Daily disposables allow contact lens wearers the ability to simply throw away each day's pair of contacts before bed, and open a brand new pair the very next day to enjoy the benefits and comfort of clean, clear, crisp contact lenses. Dangerous calcium or hairspray deposits, normally associated with bi-weekly and monthly contact lenses, are no longer an issue, and the chances of developing contact lens related eye infections, normally associated with monthly and bi-weekly contact lenses, become almost a non-issue.
Many disposable contact lenses, of all varieties, also offer tints and colors that may accent your natural eye color or change your eye color altogether. Those with Presbyopia normally would need to have bi-weekly or monthly contacts, although new daily disposable options are also beginning to emerge. For more information, speak with your eye doctor today.
Q&A for Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Answered by Dr. Gerry Fisher
Q: Can you explain what the difference is between contact lenses that can be worn for a month vs. those that can are meant to be worn for a day, are they made of different materials?
Answer: Yes, they are made from different materials with different surface treatments.
Q: Please clarify the difference between what we are speaking about, replacement frequency, vs. daily wear or extended wear contacts, which is an issue of wearing schedule.
Answer: Replacement frequency is simply how often you throw away your lenses. Daily wear contacts are removed everyday & extended wear lenses are FDA approved for overnight wear.
Q: Are there advantages to single-use contact lenses? What are they?
Answer: Absolutely!
- Less chance of infection.
- Decreased allergies
- Better comfort
- Save money by not having to purchase solutions & disinfectants.
Q: What do you find in particular, most exciting about single-use contact lenses, that brings you to recommend them to the patients in your care?
Answer: Simply the healthier choice from a medical standpoint.