Monthly Contact Lenses

What Are Monthly Contact Lenses

Monthly disposable contact lenses are one of the most popular vision correction treatments. You can wear monthly contacts for approximately 30 days. Once 30 days have passed, you’ll throw those lenses away and open new ones. Monthly lenses are typically worn throughout the day, then cleaned and placed in contact solution overnight. 

Monthlies are available in a wide range of prescriptions and lens types (including toric and multifocal). They can correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), and astigmatism.

Other types of contact lenses include rigid gas permeable (RGP), weekly disposable, and daily disposable lenses.

Monthly Contact Lens Pros & Cons

Pros

Less expensive. Monthly lenses cost less than dailies. Expect to pay between $45 and $75 for a 6-pack (six months’ worth). Daily disposables cost around $60 to $100 for a 90-pack (three months’ worth). You will also need to purchase contact cases and contact solution for monthly lenses. However, these can be purchased for $15 or less and will last about a month at a time.

Less waste. Disposable contacts are thrown out at the end of their expiration. You also throw away cardboard boxes and the blister packs the lenses come in. Daily contact wearers throw away 60 blister packs and 60 contact lenses each month (one lens per eye per day). With monthly lenses, you only throw away two lenses and packs each month.

Easy to travel with. Traveling with monthly contacts requires your lenses, case, and solution. And potentially an extra pair of lenses. Daily contact wearers need to pack a pair of lenses for every day, plus extra lenses.

More durable. Monthly lenses have thicker designs. This makes them stronger and more resistant to rips.

Available for strong prescriptions. People with extra high prescriptions used to be limited to eyeglasses. Thankfully, technology has advanced, and now they can wear contact lenses. Monthly lenses are often the only type of lens available for extra-strong prescriptions. 

Cons

Require more maintenance. The main drawback of monthly contacts is their upkeep. You’ll need to keep them clean and store them properly every night to keep them safe for wear.

Require more supplies. You’ll need to keep a contact lens case and solution with you at all times to store your monthly lenses.

Susceptible to build up. Your eyes naturally produce lipids and proteins. These substances can accumulate on your contact lenses if you do not clean them properly. This increases your chances of eye infections and irritation.

How to Care for Monthly Contacts

For all contact lenses, follow instructions given by your eye care professional. Each contact lens manufacturer and lens cleaning solution will have their own set of instructions as well. Follow these as well as the replacement schedule for each of your lenses. 

Here are some best practices for caring for monthly contact lenses:

• Always wash your hands with mild soap and water (avoid soaps with lotion, cream, or fragrances)
• Dry your hands with a lint-free cloth (or air dry them) before handling contacts
• Put your lenses in before doing eye makeup; take them out before you remove makeup
• Always start with the same eye 
• Clean your contacts immediately after removing them
• Never use water or your mouth to clean your contacts (microorganisms in water can cause infection)
• Clean your contact case with sterile solution after each use and let it air dry
• Replace your contact case every three months
• Always use new lens solution (never use expired solution)
• Clean, rinse, and disinfect your lenses according to your solution labeling and your eye doctor’s advice
• Always keep your contact lens case closed when storing contacts
• Never wear contacts that have been stored in solution for over 30 days

For more specific instructions, speak with your eye doctor. They will provide you with the best routine based on your contacts, lens solution, eye prescription, and lifestyle.

How Much Do Monthly Lenses Cost?

Monthly contact lenses typically cost between $45 and $75 for a 6-pack (six months’ worth). Contacts with special features such as toric lenses for astigmatism, multifocal lenses for presbyopia, transition lenses, colored lenses, etc., will be more expensive.

You’ll also need to buy a contact case and contact lens solution. These can be purchased at your eye doctor’s, at a pharmacy, or online for $10 or less.

Monthly vs Daily Disposable Lenses

Monthly and daily contacts are two of the most popular soft lens types. Monthly lenses are thicker and get replaced every 30 days. Daily disposable lenses are thinner and get thrown away at the end of each day.

Both of these are viable options for people who need vision correction. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Monthly contact lenses are less expensive, create less waste, and are far more durable than dailies. However, they are more prone to buildup of proteins and lipids and require more maintenance than dailies.

Pros of daily contact lenses include:

Convenience. With dailies, you don’t need to keep a contact case and solution with you. Simply throw them away when you’re finished and open a new pair each day.

Less chance of infection. Monthly contact lenses are prone to the buildup of harmful substances. If you don’t clean and store them properly, you can wind up getting an infection. Daily contacts significantly reduce this risk since you use a new set of lenses each day.

More comfortable for dry eyes. Some daily contacts are made from ultra-thin silicone hydrogel material. Many are treated with moisturizing agents that keep your eyes lubricated for the entire day. They also allow more oxygen to pass through the lens to promote healthier, clearer-looking eyes. 

Cons of daily contacts:

Higher cost. Daily disposables cost around $60 to $100 for a 90-pack (three months’ worth). Monthlies cost between $45 and $75 for a 6-pack (six months’ worth). 

More wasteful. With dailies, you’ll throw out two lenses as well as two blister packs every day.

Delicate. Daily lenses are thinner and more prone to ripping than monthly lenses.

Unsafe to sleep in. You should never sleep in your contacts. (Unless your doctor has prescribed extended wear contact lenses). This is especially true for daily contacts. Sleeping in dailies increases the risk of irritation, infection, and corneal ulcers.

Why Trust Us?

The Vision Center team spends several hours researching and writing every review page. We scour the internet and base all of our recommendations on:

• Customer reviews
• Product details and specifications
• Company reputation and reports
• Contemporary scholarly articles 

Every review is then edited for medical accuracy by our medical reviewer, Dr. Melody Huang, O.D..

Always get an eye exam and contact lens fitting from an eye care professional before purchasing contact lenses online. Your eye doctor will be able to provide you with valuable insights and recommendations.

Most Popular Monthly Contact Lenses

Biofinity Monthly

Biofinity monthly lenses use exclusive Aquaform® Technology developed by CooperVision. This lets plenty of oxygen reach your eye. It also increases their natural wettability. These silicone hydrogel monthlies are approved for extended wear. This means that you can actually wear them for 6 nights/7 days of continuous wear. (Be sure to consult your eye doctor before sleeping in any contact lenses).

Lens Features:

• Aquaform® Technology
• Extended wear (if recommended by your doctor)
• Material: 52% comfilcon A; 48% water
• Manufacturer: CooperVision

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Biofinity Toric Monthly

Biofinitys are also available in toric lenses for people with astigmatism. They have a special design that reduces lens movement. This keeps the lenses in place even when you blink.

Lens Features:

• Aquaform® Technology for maximum breathability and hydration
• Optimized Toric Lens Geometry™ reduces lens movement and increases comfort
• Material: 52% comfilcon A; 48% water
• Manufacturer: CooperVision

Bonus: Some patients can use Biofinity Toric Monthly lenses for up to 7 days/6 nights of continuous wear. Not all patients can achieve the maximum wear time. Speak with your eye care practitioner for more information.

*Biofinity Toric XR lenses are available for people with astigmatism and high prescriptions.

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Bausch + Lomb ULTRA

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contact lenses retain 95% of moisture for 16 hours. This prevents dryness and helps fight digital eye strain symptoms. They are a great choice for people who work on computers all day.

Lens Features:

• OpticAlign design for stable, consistently clear vision in their astigmatism lenses
• MoistureSeal technology maintains 95% of lens moisture for 16 hours
• Material: 54% samfilcon A; 46% water
• Manufacturer: Bausch + Lomb

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Biofinity Energys

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contact lenses retain 95% of moisture for 16 hours. This prevents dryness and helps fight digital eye strain symptoms. They are a great choice for people who work on computers all day.

Lens Features:

• OpticAlign design for stable, consistently clear vision in their astigmatism lenses
• MoistureSeal technology maintains 95% of lens moisture for 16 hours
• Material: 54% samfilcon A; 46% water
• Manufacturer: Bausch + Lomb

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Air Optix HydraGlyde Multifocal

Best Multifocal

People with presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) often need multifocal lenses. Air Optix plus HydraGlyde Multifocal lenses feature a unique Precision Profile® design. This helps you transition between near, intermediate, and far distances smoothly. HydraGlyde technology keeps your lens surface moist for longer.

Lens Features:

• Unique Precision Profile® design
• HydraGlyde Technology for increased surface moisture
• Material: 67% lotrafilcon B; 33% water
• Manufacturer: Alcon

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Air Optix Night & Day Aqua

Best for Extended Wear

Air Optix Night & Day Aqua are FDA-approved for daily wear and up to 30 nights of continuous wear*. This allows you to create a flexible wear schedule that can adapt to any busy lifestyle. They also allow more oxygen flow than any other soft contact lens.

Lens Features:

• Flexible wearing schedule
• FDA-approved for daily wear and up to 30 nights of continuous wear
• Material: 76% lotrafilcon A; 24% water
• Manufacturer: Alcon

*Important Safety Information: Not all patients can wear the lenses for extended wear. Approximately 80% of patients are able to wear the contacts during the day and at night. Always follow the eye care professional’s recommended lens wear, care and replacement schedule. Overnight wear of contact lenses has been shown to increase the risk of certain serious contact lens–related complications.See more AIR OPTIX Safety Information.

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Air Optix Colors

Best Colored

Air Optix Colors can transform your eyes to one of 12 different colors. Their silicone hydrogel material allows a high flow of oxygen to reach your eye. They also prevent protein deposit buildup using SmartShield® technology.

Lens Features:

• 12 colors to choose from
• SmartShield® Technology
• Material: 67% polymer (lotrafilcon B); 33% water
• Manufacturer: Alcon

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Vision Center recommends getting a professional contact lens fitting from a qualified eye care professional before purchasing any contact lenses online.

1800 Contacts

1800 Contacts has a huge selection of contact lenses and award-winning 24/7 customer service.

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