If you’re considering contact lenses, one of the first decisions you’ll encounter is whether to choose daily disposable or reusable monthly lenses. The daily vs monthly contact lenses decision isn’t simply about which type is better. The right option depends on your eyes, lifestyle, prescription, wearing habits and personal preferences.
Daily contact lenses offer the convenience of a fresh pair each time you wear them, while monthly lenses are designed to be cleaned, stored and reused for a specified replacement period.
Both can provide clear, comfortable vision when they’re professionally fitted and worn correctly. So, how do you decide which type is right for you?
In this guide, we’ll explain the main differences between daily and monthly contact lenses, their respective advantages and what to consider when discussing your options with your optician.
What Are Daily Contact Lenses?
Daily disposable contact lenses are designed to be worn for a single day and then thrown away.
You open a fresh, sterile pair when you’re ready to wear your lenses and dispose of them after use. You then start with another new pair the next time you want to wear contact lenses.
This means there’s generally no need to clean or store the lenses overnight.
Daily lenses can be particularly convenient for people who only want to wear contact lenses occasionally, as well as those who prefer a straightforward routine.
What Are Monthly Contact Lenses
Monthly contact lenses are reusable lenses.
Rather than throwing them away after a single day, they’re removed after wear, cleaned and disinfected using the appropriate contact lens solution, and stored correctly between uses.
The lenses are then replaced according to the schedule prescribed for that particular product.
Because they’re reused, following the recommended cleaning and replacement routine is essential.
Your optician can show you how to handle, clean and store your lenses safely when they’re fitted.
Daily vs Monthly Contact Lenses: What’s the Difference?
The biggest difference between daily vs monthly contact lenses is how frequently they’re replaced.
With daily disposables, you use a new pair each day you wear lenses. With monthly lenses, the same pair is reused during its prescribed replacement cycle, with appropriate cleaning and storage between wears.
There are also differences in convenience, maintenance and potential cost depending on how frequently you wear them.
Here’s a simple comparison:
| Daily Contact Lenses | Monthly Contact Lenses | |
| Replacement | New pair each day | Replaced on prescribed monthly schedule |
| Cleaning | No routine cleaning required | Cleaning and storage required |
| Storage case | Generally not required | Required |
| Convenience | Very convenient | Requires a regular care routine |
| Occasional wear | Particularly convenient | Often better suited to regular wear |
| Travel | Easy to use without solutions | Cleaning solution and case required |
| Routine | Fresh lenses each wear | Same lenses cleaned and reused |
Neither option is automatically right for everybody. A contact lens assessment helps determine which lenses are appropriate for your eyes and prescription.
What Are the Benefits of Daily Contact Lenses?
One of the biggest advantages of daily lenses is simplicity.
There’s no need to clean and store the lenses after wearing them. Once you’ve finished with them, they’re discarded.
This offers several practical advantages.
A Fresh Pair Every Time
Each time you wear daily disposables, you’re starting with a new pair.
There’s no build-up from repeatedly wearing the same lens and no need to remember when you last cleaned it.
You still need to wash and dry your hands properly before handling your lenses, but the overall care routine is relatively straightforward.
Convenient for Occasional Wear
Not everyone wants to wear contact lenses every day.
You might prefer glasses for work but want contact lenses for:
- Sport
- Social occasions
- Holidays
- Special events
- Particular hobbies
Daily disposable lenses can work well for this kind of occasional use because you simply open a pair when you need them.
Useful When Travelling
Daily lenses can also be convenient when travelling.
You don’t normally need to take bottles of cleaning solution or a storage case for the lenses themselves. You can pack the number of pairs you expect to need, along with some spares.
It’s still sensible to take your glasses with you in case you need to remove your contact lenses.
What Are the Benefits of Monthly Contact Lenses?
Monthly lenses can also be an excellent option, particularly for people who wear contact lenses regularly and are comfortable following a cleaning routine.
Designed for Repeated Wear
Rather than opening a new pair every day, reusable monthly lenses are cleaned and stored after each wear.
For somebody who wears contact lenses most days, this routine can quickly become part of everyday life.
Potentially More Economical for Regular Wear
Depending on the specific lenses prescribed and how frequently you wear them, monthly lenses may be more economical than daily disposables.
However, price shouldn’t be considered in isolation.
Remember that reusable lenses require suitable contact lens solution and a storage case, and the most appropriate lens should ultimately be determined by factors such as fit, comfort, eye health and your prescription.
A Wide Range of Options
Reusable contact lenses are available in many prescriptions and designs.
Your optician can advise whether an appropriate monthly option is available for your individual visual requirements.
Are Daily Contact Lenses More Hygienic?
Daily disposables have the advantage of providing a fresh pair each time they’re worn and don’t require overnight storage or routine cleaning.
However, all contact lenses need to be handled hygienically.
You should always wash and thoroughly dry your hands before inserting or removing your lenses, follow the instructions provided by your eye care professional and never share contact lenses with another person.
Reusable lenses can also be worn safely when they’re properly cleaned, disinfected, stored and replaced according to professional advice.
Problems can arise when lens-care instructions aren’t followed correctly.
How Do You Look After Monthly Contact Lenses?
If you’re prescribed reusable lenses, your optician will explain how to care for them.
Your routine will typically involve removing the lenses after wear and using the recommended contact lens solution to clean and disinfect them before storage.
Good contact lens habits include:
- Washing and drying your hands before handling lenses
- Using the recommended contact lens solution
- Cleaning lenses according to the instructions provided
- Keeping the storage case clean
- Replacing the storage case as advised
- Following the prescribed lens replacement schedule
- Never using tap water to clean or store contact lenses
Don’t extend the life of a pair simply because the lenses still feel comfortable.
Always follow the replacement schedule recommended for the particular lenses you’ve been prescribed.
Are Daily Contact Lenses Better for Occasional Wear?
They can be particularly convenient for occasional contact lens wearers.
If you only want lenses at weekends, for sport or on special occasions, daily disposables mean you don’t have to maintain an opened pair of reusable lenses between infrequent uses.
For example, somebody who wears glasses most of the week but prefers contact lenses while playing sport may find daily disposables particularly straightforward.
Your optician can still determine whether daily lenses are suitable for your prescription and eyes.
Which Are Better If You Wear Contact Lenses Every Day?
If you intend to wear contact lenses regularly, both daily and reusable lenses may potentially be suitable.
Your decision may depend on factors including:
- Your prescription
- How many hours you typically wear lenses
- Your eye health
- Comfort
- Your work and lifestyle
- Your ability to follow a cleaning routine
- Cost
- The specific lens materials and designs available to you
Someone who values convenience may still prefer daily disposables despite wearing lenses every day. Another person may prefer the routine and economics of reusable lenses.
This is why a professional fitting is more useful than choosing based solely on whether a lens is labelled “daily” or “monthly”.
Are Daily or Monthly Contact Lenses More Comfortable?
There isn’t a universal answer.
Comfort depends on much more than replacement frequency. Factors such as lens material, fit, tear film, wearing time and the condition of the surface of your eyes can all make a difference.
A particular daily lens may be very comfortable for one person but unsuitable for another. The same applies to monthly lenses.
During a contact lens assessment, your optician can consider how a lens sits on your eye and whether it provides suitable vision and comfort.
What If You Have Dry Eyes?
Having dry eyes doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t wear contact lenses.
However, dryness can make contact lens wear uncomfortable for some people, so it’s important to discuss your symptoms during your assessment.
Your optician can consider factors such as your tear film, eye health, wearing habits and the environment in which you use your lenses.
If your eyes become persistently dry, gritty, red or uncomfortable while wearing contact lenses, don’t simply tolerate the symptoms.
Remove the lenses and seek professional advice if the problem continues.
Can You Sleep in Daily or Monthly Contact Lenses?
You shouldn’t assume that a lens can be slept in simply because it’s a particular type.
Unless you’ve specifically been prescribed lenses for overnight or extended wear and advised accordingly by an eye care professional, remove your contact lenses before going to sleep.
Sleeping in lenses that aren’t intended for overnight wear can increase the risk of complications, including eye infections.
If you accidentally fall asleep wearing your contact lenses and your eyes subsequently become painful, red or unusually sensitive to light, seek professional advice.
Can You Shower or Swim in Contact Lenses?
Contact lenses should generally be kept away from water.
That includes tap water as well as swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes and the sea. Water can contain microorganisms that may cause serious eye infections.
Avoid showering or swimming while wearing your contact lenses unless you’ve been given specific professional advice about managing lenses for a particular activity.
Never use tap water to clean or store reusable lenses.
Can You Switch Between Daily and Monthly Contact Lenses?
Don’t simply buy a different type and switch without professional advice.
Contact lenses aren’t interchangeable products. Different designs can have different materials, dimensions and fitting characteristics.
If your current lenses aren’t convenient or comfortable, speak to your optician.
They can assess whether an alternative lens would be suitable and ensure it fits your eyes correctly.
Some people may also have different options available for different circumstances, but these should be professionally prescribed and fitted.
Are Daily Contact Lenses More Expensive?
The answer depends largely on how often you wear them and which particular products you’re comparing.
Daily disposable lenses can have a higher ongoing cost for somebody who wears lenses every day because a new pair is used each time.
For occasional wear, however, they can make practical and financial sense because you’re only using lenses on the days you need them.
Monthly lenses may have a lower lens cost for frequent wear, but you’ll also need appropriate cleaning solution and storage equipment.
Rather than choosing on price alone, consider the overall combination of:
- Cost
- Comfort
- Convenience
- Wearing frequency
- Eye health
- Prescription requirements
Your optician can explain the available options so you can make an informed decision.
Are Contact Lenses Suitable for Sport?
Contact lenses can be particularly useful for many sports because they don’t have frames that can move around and can provide unobstructed vision.
Daily disposable lenses may be especially convenient if you normally wear glasses and only want contact lenses while participating in sport.
However, different activities have different considerations.
Water sports require particular care because contact lenses shouldn’t generally come into contact with water.
If sport is one of your main reasons for considering contact lenses, mention this during your assessment.
Do You Still Need Glasses If You Wear Contact Lenses?
It’s sensible for contact lens wearers to have an up-to-date pair of glasses.
There will be times when you need or want to remove your contact lenses, such as when your eyes feel uncomfortable or when you’ve reached the recommended wearing time.
Having glasses available means you aren’t tempted to continue wearing lenses when your eyes would benefit from a break.
Contact lens wear also doesn’t replace the need for regular eye examinations.
Do You Need a Contact Lens Assessment?
Yes. Contact lenses need to be properly fitted rather than chosen solely from a prescription for glasses.
During a contact lens assessment, your optician can:
- Discuss your lifestyle and wearing preferences
- Assess your eyes
- Consider your prescription
- Recommend suitable lens options
- Check how the lenses fit
- Assess your vision with the lenses
- Explain how to insert and remove them
- Show you how to care for reusable lenses
- Provide advice on safe wearing habits
Follow-up appointments can then be used to check that your lenses continue to perform appropriately.
Daily vs Monthly Contact Lenses: Which Should You Choose?
When comparing daily vs monthly contact lenses, there isn’t a single winner.
Daily contact lenses may appeal to you if you value convenience, don’t want a cleaning routine, travel frequently or only plan to wear lenses occasionally.
Monthly contact lenses may appeal to you if you wear lenses regularly, are happy to clean and store them correctly and prefer a reusable option.
But lifestyle is only one part of the decision.
Your prescription, eye health, tear film and how different lenses fit your eyes also need to be considered. The best choice is therefore the one that’s suitable for your eyes as well as your daily routine.
Find the Right Contact Lenses at Bill Opticians
If you’re unsure whether daily or monthly contact lenses would suit you better, the team at Bill Opticians can help.
Our experienced opticians can assess your eyes, discuss your lifestyle and contact lens requirements, and recommend suitable options based on your individual needs.
Whether you’re completely new to contact lenses, looking for an alternative to glasses for certain activities or considering changing your current lenses, professional fitting and ongoing care can help you wear them confidently and comfortably.
Contact your nearest Bill Opticians practice to arrange a contact lens assessment and discuss which lenses may be right for you.
