Daily vs Monthly Contact Lenses: Weighing the Pros and Cons

If you’re a contact lens wearer, deciding between daily and monthly contact lenses can be a tough decision. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each lens type!

In the video below, Dr. Ryan Corte discusses the pros and cons of daily and monthly contacts.

If you don’t like the video or want more information, continue reading.

The pros of daily contacts

First, let’s talk about daily disposable contact lenses (or dailies). As stated in the name, these are the type of contact lenses you throw away at the end of the day.

1) Dailies are more convenient

Daily lenses will save you time since you don’t have to clean them, purchase contact lens solution, or store them in a case overnight. Especially if you’re a frequent traveler or always on the go.

Note: If you plan on taking your daily contacts out for a nap or to go swimming, we recommend storing them in Biotrue, RevitaLens, or Opti-free Pure Moist contact lens solutions. 

2) Since they tend to accumulate less build up, dailies reduce your risk of complications

As a result, daily contacts are often more comfortable, especially if you have allergies or dry eyes. So, if you’re one of those people who is always battling dry, itchy eyes, consider dailies.

3) Dailies provide a simple, one and done wear schedule

Just put in a new pair of contact lenses in the morning and throw them away at the end of the day! Hello, improved daily routines. Goodbye, contact lens case and solutions.

RELATED: 5 Reasons To Choose Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

4) Dailies are especially great for new wearers, infrequent wearers, and younger patients

While dailies are great for all wearers, new and younger contact lens wearers have a greater risk of ripping, tearing or losing a lens.

On the other hand, infrequent wearers love the flexibility daily contact lenses provide as they go back and forth between wearing their glasses and contact lenses!

The cons of daily contacts

1) Dailies are often more expensive

Dailies will often cost you more money to purchase than monthlies. However, they typically pay for themselves after you include the cost of contact lens solutions and the potential complications monthlies can cause.

Note: Keep in mind many daily contact lenses are equally as cost-effective as monthly contact lenses when you take into consideration contact lens rebates and maintenance.

2) Dailies are not FDA approved for you to fall asleep in

DO NOT SLEEP IN DAILY DISPOSABLE CONTACT LENSES. That’s just not what they’re designed for! If you must sleep in your contacts, consider an extended or continuous wear bi-weekly or monthly contact lens.

3) Dailies can be less environmentally friendly

Why? You are using a new lens every day instead of every month.

Note: Some daily contact lens manufacturers have a recycling program. This gives you the option to decrease the waste that comes with wearing a daily contact lens.

4) Dailies are easier to tear

Particularly since they’re often made of a thinner contact lens material than monthlies. Therefore, I recommending being a little more careful when putting in and taking out these lenses.

RELATED: Learn About the Best Contact Lenses Currently Available

The pros of monthly contacts

Now that you know all about daily contact lenses, let’s talk about monthly disposable contact lenses (or monthlies). These are the type of contact lenses you can wear every day and throw away after a month goes by.

1) Monthlies are less expensive for wearers who follow their eye doctor’s directions

A key point here is that if you take care of your monthly lenses, and wear them appropriately, you’re less likely to have complications.

However, keep in mind, monthlies may cost you more money long term. Especially after you consider the cost of contact lens solution and the potential complications they can cause.

2) Some monthlies, known as extended or continuous wear contact lenses, are FDA approved for you to fall asleep in

Honestly, we don’t recommend you sleep in your contacts! It increases your risk of an eye infection and is simply a bad habit to get into.

However, if you must, consider an extended or continuous wear monthly (or biweekly) contact lens.

3) Monthlies are more environmentally friendly

Why? You are using a new lens every month instead of every day. Also, they come with significantly less packaging waste.

4) Most monthly contact lens materials allow more oxygen to the front of your eye

Hence why some are FDA approved to sleep in and are designed for a longer wear cycle.

The cons of monthly contacts

1) Monthlies require cleaning, storage, and the purchasing of contact lens solution

Since they tend to accumulate more build up, monthlies increase your risk of complications. This can be an issue if you have allergies or dry eyes.

Note: We recommend storing them in Biotrue, RevitaLens, or Opti-free Pure Moist contact lens solutions. However, if you’re experiencing depositing or contact lens build up, consider Clear Care Cleaning & Disinfection Solution.

2) Unless you live by your calendar, monthlies are easier to overwear!

Therefore, it’s easy to forget exactly when to replace your monthly contact lenses.

Note: I always recommend my patients set a reminder in their phone or email calendar on when to replace their contacts. It’s simple, effective, and improves replacement compliance.

3) Monthlies are more expensive when you lose or rip lenses

So be careful! This is often why new wearing teenagers should consider daily contacts.

Honestly, are daily contacts or monthly contacts more expensive?

In more cases than not, dailies are more expensive than monthlies. On average, a year’s supply of daily contacts is a couple of hundred dollars more than monthly contacts.

However, the compliance and health benefits of daily contacts far outweigh that of monthly ones. Especially if you get an eye infection sleeping in monthly contacts and have to spend hundreds of dollars on office visits and prescription eye drops.

RELATED: Learn About the Best Contact Lenses Currently Available

Conclusion

In the end, both daily and monthly contacts have their upside. If you’re looking for a comfortable, hassle-free, and hygienic option, consider a daily disposable contact lens. On the other hand, if you prefer to sleep in your contacts, have budget concerns, or are hard on your lenses, go with a monthly disposable contact lens. 

Regardless of the pros and cons of daily vs monthly contact lenses, it’s important to discuss which option is best for you with an eye care professional!

Do you prefer daily or monthly contact lenses? Share your thoughts in the comments below!