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Daily vs Monthly Contacts

Daily vs Monthly Contacts

You have a lot of options when it comes to finding the perfect pair of contact lenses. If wearing contacts is new to you, the variety of formats and wear schedules can be a bit confusing and overwhelming. Disposable contacts allow you to wear your lenses for a shorter period of time without having to clean them or soak them in a cleaning solution. If you're prescribed disposables, are daily or monthly contacts a better choice? Read on to learn more about daily vs. monthly contacts to help you decide which option is best for you.

Daily Contacts

In today's busy world, people are looking for convenience more than ever before. With daily contact lenses, you only wear the pair for one day and then discard them in the evening. The next day, simply replace your daily contacts with a fresh new pair. These types of lenses are particularly thin and usually have high water content. As the day goes on, natural deposits from your eyes can build up on the surface of daily contacts, which is why they should not be re-used.

Monthly Contacts

Although the name implies that you should replace them every month, some monthly contacts can be replaced bi-weekly. These lenses are thicker than daily contacts which makes them durable and able to handle more wear and tear. Monthly contacts are often more resistant to drying out which means you can leave them in your eyes for longer periods of time. You can get monthly contacts in several prescription strengths depending on your needs.

Differences in Wear

Monthly contacts are disposable, but they're mostly designed for daytime use only. There are a few options that allow for extended overnight wear, but these lenses need to be stored and maintained correctly every night so that they're clean and safe to wear the next day. With daily contact lenses, the contacts come in individually wrapped packages, and they're designed to be worn for just one day before throwing them away. You'll simply replace the contacts with a new pair the following morning, eliminating the need to worry about cleaning products or storage cases. Daily contacts are quite popular since they're extremely convenient to use. Additionally, these disposables are safe since you don't have to worry about a possible eye infection due to improper or inefficient cleaning.

Monthly & Daily Contact Lens Lifespan

In terms of how long you can wear your lenses, most eye doctors feel that contacts should be worn no longer than between 10 and 16 hours at a time. If your eyes start to feel extremely dry or uncomfortable, this timeline might be shorter. Regardless of whether you end up with daily or monthly contact lenses, the same timeframe applies. To keep your eyes moist and comfortable, try contact lenses that are treated with extra moisturizing solutions.

Prescription Differences

Ultimately, whether you get daily or monthly contacts depends on what type of prescription you need. Daily lenses are ideal if you just need some basic vision correction, and you can even find them for patients with astigmatism and multifocal options to correct presbyopia. However, if you have a special prescription that requires specific parameters, you could be stuck with monthly contacts instead. Ask your eye doctor if there is a daily option available depending on your needs.

Differences in Caring for Your Contacts

One of the biggest perks of daily contacts is that you don't have to fuss with cleaning solutions. Monthly lenses must be stored overnight in a protective case, and a contact cleaning solution must be added. That means that your monthly contacts need to be maintained and cared for every night. Dailies can simply be thrown away each night before you head to bed. This means you won't have to spend extra money on cleaning solutions or cases, and you also won't have to worry about remembering to clean your contacts every night either. If you travel, just make sure that you bring enough pairs of daily lenses so you can change them every day.

Daily vs Monthly Contacts: Which is Right for You?

The type of contacts you use may depend on your specific prescription. For example, if you need higher magnification from your contacts, monthlies may work best since they're made with a harder composition. For people with astigmatism or who need multifocal lenses, a monthly may be the only way for you to get the level of vision correction you need. If your eyes are sensitive, you might prefer daily contacts. Due to their higher water content and softer feel, dailies are ideal for those who have sensitive eyes, as long as they can get them in the correct prescription.

One reason many people prefer daily contacts is because of their busy lifestyle. Rather than having to worry about constant cleaning and maintenance, you can simply toss your daily contacts in the trash and start fresh with a new pair the following day. In terms of cost, you may pay a bit more for daily contacts thanks to their convenient design. On the other hand, monthly contacts will cost you in terms of buying cleaning solutions and saline. Weigh the pros and cons of each type if your budget is a concern.

Other Things to Consider

For children and teens, daily contacts may be a great choice since they won't need to worry about keeping their lenses clean. Another perk to dailies is that you can take them in and out during the day as needed without worrying about irritation. It's important to note that you cannot and should not sleep with your daily contacts in your eyes. Always remove them before you go to bed or else you could experience serious irritation and other eye problems. For those who don't mind the occasional cleaning, monthly contacts can be extremely convenient for longer-term wear.

Whether it's the type of prescription you need, the maintenance, or the convenience, daily contacts seem to be a much better choice for most people. Consult with your eye doctor if you have any questions about which format will be best for you.

The material provided on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or optometric advice. The information provided is not intended for the diagnosis of medical condition and should not substitute for the advice of a qualified health provider.

Please make sure you get your eyes examined regularly and always follow your eye care professional's instructions for the proper use and care of your contact lenses. It's important to note that if you experience any pain or discomfort from your contact lens, discontinue use immediately and consult your eye care professional. WARNING: IF YOU ARE HAVING ANY UNEXPLAINED EYE DISCOMFORT, WATERING, VISION CHANGE, REDNESS, OR LIGHT SENSITIVITY, REMOVE YOUR LENSES IMMEDIATELY AND CONSULT YOUR EYE CARE PRACTITIONER BEFORE WEARING YOUR LENSES AGAIN.

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