Disposable Contact Lenses - Consumer Guide
Disposable contact lenses are the most popular and best selling form of contact lenses today. Disposable contact lenses are worn for a certain period of time then disposed of and replaced with fresh ones. The length of time can vary between brands and is usually daily, weekly or fortnightly.
Other types of contact lenses include: frequent replacement lenses that are replaced either monthly or quarterly; and traditional/reusable lenses that can last upwards of six months without having to be replaced.
One of the benefits of disposable contact lenses are that they are more hygienic and convenient. It is considered better to regularly replace your contact lenses with fresh ones as opposed to using the same ones for several months. By wearing contacts for a long time, different natural products produced by your eye and outside dirt and dust can lodge onto the contacts and make them less comfortable and hygienic to wear. Although you can obviously clean lenses, this is not always 100% effective, which is why disposable contact lenses are very popular.
When you purchase disposable contact lenses, depending on the specific needs of your eyes, you may be prescribed extended wear disposable contact lenses or daily wear disposable contact lenses. Extended wear contact lenses are great for people who don't like having to take contacts in and out at the beginning and end of every day. It also means that you can wake up with clear vision and if you are in a rush to get to work you don't need to worry about having to put in your contact lenses. The maximum length of time that you can wear extended wear contact lenses is seven days. However, new technology in contact lenses is allowing for new lenses to be created that can be worn for up to 30 days without removal.
The only problem associated with extended wear disposable contact lenses are that there is an increased risk of eye infection associated with overnight wear of contacts. However, new technology has meant that these risks have been minimized and are generally deemed to be very safe.
Disposable contact lenses are also a lot more affordable than many think. Daily disposables are available for around $1 per day, plus you will also be saving money on expensive cleaning products that are required for continuous wear contact lenses. The price will vary depending on the complexity of your prescription though. There is also the initial cost of being fitted for contact lenses, which varies hugely between eye care practitioners. It is best to shop around for the best deal. Sometimes, if you have a very complex prescription, daily disposable contact lenses may not be an option for you. However, you may be able to get frequent disposable contact lenses which are a good compromise.
There are different types of disposable contact lenses too. Perhaps you want to change your eye color. There are dozens of brands of colored disposable contact lenses available at the moment, and these are becoming increasingly popular. You can choose from either a subtle tint to brighten up your natural eye color, or completely change it! The choice is yours.
If you want to purchase disposable contact lenses you will be spoilt for choice.
One of the most popular and affordable brands are ProClear 1 Day. These daily disposable contact lenses are made from PC Hydrogel meaning they are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. They help reduce dryness and irritation that some other contact lens brands often cause their customers.
SynergEyes hybrid contact lenses are another popular brand of disposable contact lenses. These are soft lenses but with a rigid hard lens center which provides the best of both worlds - the comfort of soft lenses and the accuracy and sharpness of vision of hard lenses. These are slightly more expensive than the ProClear 1 Day contact lenses, but offer the ultimate in 20/20 vision and comfort.
Another popular brand of disposable contact lenses are 1 Day Acuvue. These are priced at around $22 for a pack of 30 lenses, and are daily disposables that must be removed at the start and end of every day. These are great value for money and provide comfortable wear and great vision.
