Daily disposable contact lenses can be a great alternative to weekly- or monthly-wear contacts. But what are the pros and cons? Are they the right choice for you, or would contact lenses with a longer wear time be a better fit?
Here are some of the main pros and cons of daily disposables:
PRO- They’re super convenient
With weekly- and monthly-wear contact lenses, you need to make sure that you have a proper case and the right lens solution. You also need to keep track of the day you started wearing them so that you can switch them out according to their wear schedule to prevent build-up of calcium and bacteria that can cause infection. With daily disposables, you simply throw them out at the end of the day and start with a new pair in the morning.
CON- They’re more likely to tear
Because they’re not meant to be worn for more than a day, daily disposable lenses are made much thinner than contact lenses made to be worn for longer periods. This means that they are much more likely to tear as you’re putting them in, or if you need to remove them temporarily.
PRO- They’re more sanitary
With daily disposables, you wear a brand new pair of contact lenses at the beginning of each day. This prevents calcium and bacteria from building up as it does of longer-wear contacts. As a result, daily disposables are more sanitary and are less likely to cause eye infections, dry eye symptoms and discomfort.
CON- They’re dangerous to fall asleep in
Though it is never recommended to fall asleep in contact lenses unless they’re specifically designed for this, daily disposables are especially bad for this. Because they are not designed to be as breathable as longer-wear contact lenses, they allow even less oxygen to the eye while sleeping, which can cause dryness and discomfort, as well as long-term damage. The danger of the lens tearing while on your eye increases as well, which can cause painful scratches and other damage to the eye.
PRO- Daily disposables are great for people who only wear contacts occasionally
For people who like to wear glasses, but want contact lenses as a backup option or for special occasions, daily disposables are great. Weekly- and monthly-wear contacts have to be thrown out at the end of their wearing time even if you’ve only worn them once over the course of the entire week or month. No matter how many times you’ve worn them, you’ve “spent” 7 to 30 days’ worth of contact lens wear.
On the other hand, if you only wear daily disposable contacts for one day out of the month, you’ve only “spent” a single day’s worth of contact lens wear over the course of that time. You still have 28 more days of contact lenses left. At the rate of two contact lens per month, that could last you more than 2 years!
Still not sure if daily disposable contact lenses are for you? Speak to us at today!
Q&A
What are the symptoms of lens-related eye infection?
Infections related to contact lenses usually happen because of poor hygiene practices such as improper storage and/or cleaning of the lenses. Symptoms include foreign body sensation in the eye, red, painful eyes, light sensitivity, watering or colored discharge, or blurred/double vision.
How long should I wear my contacts each day?
This may vary from person to person, but a rule of thumb is that 10-12 hours per day is the safe maximum to avoid symptoms of contact lens overwear, which can include dry, or red eyes, as well as eye strain and headache. Speak to your optician for a personalized recommendation.