Monthly Contact Lenses

What are monthly contact lenses?

These are lenses you wear for up to 30 days. Also called monthly disposable lenses, these types need proper care and maintenance since you cannot throw them out daily after use. However, unlike daily disposable lenses, monthly lenses are more economical and convenient, especially for those who need something that lasts longer. Nonetheless (and here's the catch), their suitability depends on your unique lifestyle and eye health, and you cannot assess these factors without an eye care professional. Therefore, scheduling a comprehensive eye exam with an eye doctor is important if you wish to use a monthly lens. The exam is also important to determine the appropriate type of contact lenses for your vision needs.

Regarding material, monthly lenses are made from advanced materials that offer high oxygen permeability and hydration. That's because prolonged-use lenses need to ensure comfort throughout the day. In the same way, you should focus on proper cleaning and storage to maintain lens hygiene and prevent complications like dryness or infections.

Types of monthly lenses

Did you know that there are many types of 30-day lenses? Some common types are:

• Multifocal Lenses: These types are designed solely for those with presbyopia. As this eye challenge requires, the lens is structured to offer multiple prescription zones at once so the wearer can see clearly at different distances.

• Toric Lenses: Toric contact lenses are for people with astigmatism correction alone or combined with the presence of other refractive errors. Unlike multifocal lenses, these types of lenses tend to provide stable and clear vision for the wearers.

• Colored Lenses: You'd notice a lot of this in the entertainment industry, but just so you know, anyone can use them. Colored are specifically for those who want to change or enhance their eye color. Some of these types also offer vision correction if you need it.

• Extended Wear Lenses: Finally, there are the extended-wear lenses for continuous wear. That's right! You don't have to remove these lenses for 30 days and nights, making them seem like your real eye. These are perfect for those who prefer not to remove their lenses daily.

Why monthly disposable contact lenses?

Besides the things that have been mentioned randomly across this material, there are other reasons monthly contacts are so loved and popular:

• It's much easier to manage since it is suitable for various lifestyles, including vacations, outdoor activities, or daily wear, without needing frequent replacements, so most people just prefer this one.

• There are many types available: As discussed earlier, the monthly lenses are available for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia, as well as colored variants for aesthetic purposes.

• Since they are made from advanced materials, the lenses are much stronger in resisting protein and lipid deposits, ensuring comfort and performance throughout their lifespan.

How do you choose the right monthly contact lenses?

If you have finally decided to go to monthly contacts, here are the things you need to consider before you slam your hands on a brand and take it home.

• Check your prescription: This means that you must have gone for an eye exam before you kick off your lens shopping. So when you look around (or surf the online store), ensure that the lens you're looking for is for your specific vision needs, whether nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia.

• Consider your allergies, if any: Before you think of whether the lens looks beautiful or not, ensure that you understand your eye health to know what features to prioritize. If you have dry eyes or allergies, wear contacts made from moisture-rich materials or those with anti-allergenic properties to enhance comfort.

• Think about your daily routine: Where you mostly 'hang out' also determines, to a large extent, the kind of lens for you. If you work in a dusty environment, you should automatically consider lenses with high oxygen permeability to keep your eyes healthy and comfortable throughout the day.

• Now check for comfort: This should not be an option but a must for contact lens wearers. The lens needs to be comfortable all day long to prevent itching or any bad reaction to the lens. Additionally, look for lenses that prioritize a smooth surface to ensure all-day wearability.

• Research Brands: Finally, you can research reputable brands and read reviews to ensure you get a high-quality lens that meets your needs.

At the end of the day (even with everything mentioned above), the best thing you can do is consult an eye doctor or optometrist to determine the best monthly lens for your specific needs.

Popular brands of monthly contact lenses

Speaking of researching reputable brands, here are a few brands that are dedicated to designing and manufacturing quality monthly contacts.

• Air Optix Aqua: A family of Alcon Vision Care, this lens prioritizes excellent hydration, reduction of dryness, and comfort all day. So, if this is what you want, Air Optix Aqua is a great brand.
• Air Optix Night & Day - Also from the same brand as earlier, this product is designed for extended wear since you can wear it even at night. Given this benefit, the lenses provide an even more adequate oxygen supply that can ensure eye health and comfort while you sleep. They are also made from more resistant material that reduces the risk of complications like corneal hypoxia and other eye infections.
• Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde - These ones, on the other hand, have the qualities of the first two mentioned but are made with thicker material. Hence, it has stronger protection against protein deposits. It's also the most suitable for those with sensitive eyes.
• Biofinity - The great thing about Biofinity and Biofinity Toric daily or monthly contacts is that the brand uses Aquaform Comfort Science Technology, which provides exceptional hydration and oxygen permeability.
• Biomedics 55 Evolution - Known for their rounded edges and aberration control, these lens type provides sharp, distortion-free vision for those who may need mild vision correction. In addition to this, the lens also works to reduce friction, which enhances comfort.
• PureVision 2 HD - Finally, these are high-definition optics that minimize halos and glare. So, for those with astigmatism or those who constantly face glare issues, this is the best lens for you.

How to use monthly contact lens? (wear and replacement schedule)

• Adhere to the 30-Day Wear Period: You are only to wear these lens type for 30 days and no more to avoid potential eye health issues.

• Clean Daily: Clean and store your lenses in fresh solution every night to keep them free from bacteria and deposits.

• Replace Timely: Replace with a new pair of lenses after 30 days, regardless of if they still feel right. It's like continuing to drink expired milk even though it still tastes okay.

• Take Regular Eye Exams: Don't forget your eye doctor! Still ensure you attend regular eye exams to monitor your eye health and adjust your wear schedule as needed.

How to care for monthly contact lenses?

1. Clean your contact lens daily. Doing this ensures proper hygiene and reduces the risk of eye infections.

2. When cleaning, use only the recommended cleaning solution.

3. Never top off the old solution. Instead, flush out the old one and use fresh contact solutions for all your cleaning.

4. After cleaning, don't just toss the lenses around. Keep them in its storage case.

5. Finally, discard the lenses after 30 days, even if they appear in good condition.

Cost comparison with daily contact lenses

Did you know that monthly or extended-wear contact lenses are (in the long run) less expensive than daily contact lenses? Let's prove it to you!

Daily contact lenses usually cost approximately 1-2 dollars a day. This similarly measures to a sum of around the same amount daily. For one month, the 1-2 dollars can go up to even $30-60 a month. On the other hand, when wearing monthly contacts you will be spending roughly 20-50 dollars per month. Yet again, it isn't up to the quantity you are bound to spend on the daily contacts.

FAQ

Is it possible to sleep in monthly lenses?

Typically, an eye doctor or any other professional would not recommend sleeping with contact lenses on. Yet, there are some special lenses designed for night wear- that is, continuous wear. Such lenses include Air Optix Night or Day Aqua and Biofinity.

What are the disadvantages of monthly contact lenses?

Though monthly contact lenses have many advantages, they require much more maintenance and care. As opposed to daily contacts, where you can just discard them daily, you would need to clean and store monthly lenses.

Which monthly lenses are the best for extended wear?

The best lenses are Air Optix Night & Day Aqua ® (Alcon), Biofinity ® (CooperVision), and PureVision ® (Bausch + Lomb). Among these three, Biofinity ® has the greatest hydration and oxygen flow.

How does a monthly contact lens compare to a standard contact?

A standard contact, as in a daily contact does not contain silicone hydrogel which is required for a high level of oxygen permeability.