How often should you change contact lenses? Daily, Biweekly, and Monthly lenses.
One of the most common questions that many new users of contact lenses have is: When should I replace my contact lenses? The answer varies from individual to individual and depends on the type of contact lens and your eye doctor's prescription.
The common replacement schedules for contact lenses are daily, monthly, and biweekly. Each type has its own pros depending on your personal lifestyle and needs.
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily lenses are used once daily and then disposed of after use in the evening. Each morning, a new pair is inserted. Disposables eliminate the need for cleaning solutions or storage cases, thus reducing the risk of contamination and infection. The brand new lens surface ensures maximum comfort and vision every day.
Pros
Maximum hygiene - no buildup of proteins or deposits because each set is new
No maintenance is necessary - no lens care solution or case is required
Suitable for part-time wearers - only wear contact lenses on days you really need them
Perfect for allergy sufferers - new lenses will result in fewer allergens accumulating on the lens surface
Easy to travel with - no need to pack any bottles of solution
Cons
More expensive on a per-box basis than reusable contact lenses
More waste due to packaging
Most appropriate for: Part-time wearers, allergy sufferers, travelers, and convenience seekers.
Bi-Weekly (Two-Week) Contact Lenses
Bi-weekly contact lenses are replaced every two weeks. They must be cleaned and stored in solution each night. Reusable contact lenses are replaced every 14 days. Such as Acuvue Oasys contact lenses.
Pros
- Cost and freshness balance – less expensive than dailies but still being changed regularly
- Oxygen permeability – Several bi-weekly contacts feature silicone hydrogel technology
- Availability – Well-known brands provide a variety of prescription contacts.
Cons
- Needs daily cleansing along with a case for the contact lenses
- Deposition can happen near the end of the second week of wear
- Easy to forget about when to change them
Best for: Full-time wearers who want a middle ground between cost and convenience.
Monthly Contact Lenses
Monthly lenses are replaced once a month. Like bi-weeklies, they require nightly cleaning and proper storage. These contacts can be worn for up to a month on a daily basis, as these lenses are reusable, and after wearing them, you can simply put them back into fresh contact lens solution.
Once used, the lenses should be stored in a new contact lens solution. It will be important to keep the lenses clean, hygienic, and fresh to avoid irritation and allergies to the eyes.
Pros
- Cheapest type of lens per pair - cheapest on a per-day-of-use basis
- Least number of boxes to buy – infrequent orders
- Many lens strengths available, including those which are toric and multifocal
Cons
- Needs to be cleaned every day to avoid deposits building up
- Increased possibility of getting an eye infection if not cleaned every day
- The lenses become uncomfortable towards the end of the month
Best for: Daily full-time wearers who are disciplined about lens care and want to minimize cost.
Which Should You Choose?
Lens type will depend in the end on the recommendations of your eye care professional, as well as your habits and lifestyle. Monthly lenses are very economical if you wear them every day and take good care of them. Daily lenses provide an easy way of wearing contacts if you use lenses infrequently.
Always rely on the recommendations of your eye care professional as to the lens type, wear schedule, and frequency of replacement. The information provided here does not serve as medical advice.
What Are the Risks of Not Replacing Your Contact Lenses?
- Eye Infections: Protein deposits, lipid accumulation, and trapped bacteria make you vulnerable to microbial keratitis, an irritating infection of the cornea that causes immediate damage to the eyes and loss of vision.
- Corneal Ulcerations & Scars: Abrasions created by old lenses allow bacteria entry into the cornea, causing ulcers which usually result in scarring.
- Oxygen Deprivation (Corneal Neovascularization): Old lenses reduce oxygen intake to the cornea due to reduced air permeability, causing growth of new, harmful blood vessels within the cornea, which can lead to vision damage and contact lens intolerance.
- Dryness & Irritation: Expiration of the lenses causes decreased moisture retention capacity, resulting in redness, irritation, grittiness, and visual disturbance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are daily disposable contact lenses more expensive?
Yes, daily disposable contact lenses are more expensive but are more convenient to use, as well as cleaner and require no cleaning solution.
How often to change prescription contact lenses?
You should change your prescription contact lenses as directed by your eye specialist, as well as the manufacturer's recommendation.
What happens if I don't change my contacts every month?
The use of monthly contact lenses after the expiration date may cause eye infection and/or discomfort.
How do I know if contacts need to be replaced?
One should replace the contact lenses if they have expired, if there is any damage to them, if they become uncomfortable, if one sees blurry vision through them, and if they are hard to put on.