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Should I choose daily or monthly contact lenses?

Battling to decide if daily or monthly contact lenses are better? We feel you - as it's not the easiest choice to make, especially with so many options on the market. At the end of the day, it all boils down to what wearing pattern works for you. If you're keen on convenience - undoubtedly, dailies are a big yes while regular contact lens wearers might prefer committing to the monthly route.

The main difference dividing these two types of contact lens wearing patterns is the amount of care involved. Monthlies need to be stored and cleaned properly overnight before their next use, whereas dailies can be thrown away and simply replaced every morning. But, before we get too ahead of ourselves, let's walk you through all the pros and cons of each, so you can compare!

Dailies vs monthlies: the facts

Convenience

Yes, we'll say it again - daily contact lenses are the king of convenience, as you don't have to stress about buying contact lens solutions or lugging around a case. You simply wear them for a full day, and before it's time to hit the sack or shower, throw them in the bin. If you like to mix it up between your specs and your contact lenses depending on what you're up to, dailies can also give you that freedom.

Like we've mentioned, monthlies are more effort, as they need to be cleaned and stored correctly before you can wear them the next day. By correctly, we mean you have to be really vigilant with your lens routine and ensure you follow it to the letter. For those that still want to go ahead with extended wear contact lenses, there are reusable options: for example Biofinity or everclear AIR. In either case, chat to your optician before making that move.

Hygiene

Healthy and fresh feeling eyes are a guarantee with dailies given that you wear a new pair of lenses every day. This means that there's less time for a build-up of deposits, which can cause nasty eye infections. Packaged in sterilised blister packs, dailies are also the answer for hayfever haters and those with sensitive eyes, as they prevent a pollen build-up on the surface, too.

If you've nailed the lens cleaning routine to get rid of bacteria and dirt, hygiene shouldn't be a problem for monthlies either. Like most things, contact lens care just takes a bit of practice, and with a good cleaning solution and a sturdy case, it will be smooth sailing. If you're venturing on a trip with your monthlies, the compact travel pack, with everclear REFRESH All In One Solution and a Vision Direct lens case will help you keep up with your eye care regime, hassle-free.

Comfort

The contact lens game has evolved majorly over the past few years - the lens materials used to create most of them these days is either hydrogel or silicone hydrogel. Allowing oxygen to easily reach your eyes, these formulas provide a boost of hydration. The surface of the dailies' material is thinner than monthlies (as they don't have to last as long), increasing the amount of oxygen for ultimate comfort. Ideal for a long day's wear and great for physical activities (like hiking and cycling) where your glasses can get in the way, dailies ensure your eyes stay comfortable.

Another plus for dailies is that you can take a break from them if you experience discomfort or have an eye infection. They're individually packed, so you can just return to them whenever you're ready! However, that isn't really the case with monthlies, as you can only use them for a certain amount of time. Wearers with dry eyes might benefit from monthlies, which can retain moisture for longer due to their thickness. But, after 3 weeks or so of continuous wear, monthlies can start to become uncomfortable and dry out.

Cost-effectiveness

Before making your contact lens choice - have a ponder about how regularly you'll want to wear them. If you're a fan of that full-time lens life, monthlies will work out better for your wallet. But, for those who like to wear their lenses occasionally, a pack of dailies, although more expensive, will last longer, giving you more flexibility. With daily disposable contact lenses, you can easily switch to your glasses whenever you like, allowing your eyes to have a break, preventing dryness and eye strain.

At Vision Direct, we're proud to supply both dailies and monthlies from all the well-known brands for the best prices, including Acuvue, Focus Dailies, Air Optix, Biofinity, Soflens and Proclear. If you wear optician's own-brand contact lenses, you're likely to find a branded equivalent of your lens from our list, as many high street opticians buy their lenses from the big brands and repackage them under their own name. Think you've seen contact lenses for cheaper? Check out our price match promise, and see how we'll match that price in a flash!

Sustainability

Generally, monthlies are seen as having less of an impact on the environment, as you only purchase a pair of contacts every 30 days, so you throw away fewer lenses. But things are looking up for disposing of dailies without any damage. Many soft lenses and contact lens packaging can now be recycled - see our easy-peasy recycling scheme that can be done in 3 simple steps. Remember - never throw your lenses in the toilet or sink!

What about two-weekly contact lenses?

Hey, we can't forget about the middle ground of the contact lens world! If you would like to revel in the benefits of an extended wearing pattern, but aren't keen to commit to a full month, go for these lenses. Two-weekly lenses are a really great compromise - you replace them more often than monthlies, so your eyes feel fresh and clean, and because you wear them for 14 days, they're less likely to wear out.

Can I switch from monthly to daily contact lenses?

This is a yes from us! Switching to dailies can be a really good move for your eyes and wallet, and with so many fantastic advantages in store - we don't think you'll ever go back. Book an eye test with an eye care professional to double-check they'll work with your prescription, and then we're here to help with any brand recommendations.

Recommended daily lenses

We believe that there's a daily disposable lens out there for everyone! You might just need a little nudge in the right direction. Whether it's a spherical lens for myopia (short-sightedness) or hyperopia (long-sightedness), toric contact lenses for astigmatism or a multifocal lens for presbyopia, we've got them all! Plus, your prescription stays the same no matter what wearing pattern you go for.

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365-day guarantee

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365-day guarantee

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Should I choose daily or monthly contact lenses?

Dailies vs monthlies: the facts

Convenience

Hygiene

Comfort

Cost-effectiveness

Sustainability

What about two-weekly contact lenses?

Can I switch from monthly to daily contact lenses?

Recommended daily lenses

Take a peek at the products our customers heart the most:

Best all-rounder: everclear ELITE

Best value for money: everclear ADM

Best for comfort: Dailies AquaComfort Plus

Best premium option: Dailies Total 1

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