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.
Dr. James' top pick for monthly contacts is the Alcon TOTAL 30.
The lens "affords excellent oxygen permeability and utilizes something called celient technology. The lens mimics the corneal ocular surface to resist lipid and bacterial adherence to the contact lens surface to inhibit lens depositing...it approaches 100% on the lens surface allowing for a smooth contact lens surface and reducing lens discomfort," says Dr. James.
Biofinitys toric contacts are Dr. James' recommendation for people with astigmatism. They have a "very stable design to keep the lens from shifting off axis of astigmatism to minimize fluctuation of vision during blinking and eye movement," he says.
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.
Yet again, Acon TOTAL 30 takes this category. They block over 90% of UVA and 99% of UVB, which reduces the amount of blue light that gets to your eyes. Their breathability and wettability also keep your eyes comfortable even if you're working on a screen all day.
People with presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) often need multifocal lenses. Dr. James chose Biofinity Multifocal lenses because they have the widest prescription parameters, and are available in a Multifocal Toric version for those with astigmatism.
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.
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.
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.
Vision Center recommends getting a professional contact lens fitting from a qualified eye care professional before purchasing any contact lenses online.
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 its own set of instructions as well. Follow these as well as the replacement schedule for each of your 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.
Monthly Contact Lens Pros & Cons
Pros
Less expensive. Monthly contacts 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 contacts, 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 contact 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 contacts are often the only type of lens available for extra-strong prescriptions.
Cons
Require more maintenance. The main drawback of wearing monthly contacts is their upkeep. You’ll need to keep them clean and store them properly in fresh solution 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 contact 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 can affect your eye health and cause infections and irritation.
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:
Convenient. 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 replace your 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.
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.
Cope, Jennifer R., et al. “Risk Behaviors for Contact Lens–Related Eye Infections Among Adults and Adolescents — United States, 2016.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, vol. 66, no. 32, 2017, pp. 841–845., doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6632a2. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6632a2.htm
Walline, Jeffrey J et al. “Benefits of contact lens wear for children and teens.” Eye & contact lens vol. 33,6 Pt 1 : 317-21. doi:10.1097/ICL.0b013e31804f80fb. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17993828/
Melody Huang is an optometrist and freelance health writer. Through her writing, Dr. Huang enjoys educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives. She also has an interest in Eastern medicine practices and learning about integrative medicine. When she’s not working, Dr. Huang loves reviewing new skin care products, trying interesting food recipes, or hanging with her adopted cats.
Michael is the content strategist and a lead content writer for Vision Center. With eight years of experience in the world of content strategy and creation, Michael specializes in medical copywriting and advanced research methodologies.
All Vision Center content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed optometrist to ensure the information is factual and meets industry standards.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from recent scientific research, scholarly articles, textbooks, government agencies, optometry websites, and medical journals.
The information provided on VisionCenter.org should not be used in place of actual information provided by a doctor or a specialist.
