Q. Can you explain what the difference is between contact lenses that can be worn for a month vs. those that can are meant to be worn for a day, are they made of different materials?
A. A monthly disposable contact lens is a contact lens that is designed to last for a month. Therefore, it can be worn for a month and needs to be disposed of once a month or 30 days. It does not mean that it you can sleep in the contact lenses for a month or 30 days. The monthly disposable contact lens needs to be cleaned on a daily basis. Daily disposable contact lenses are designed to be disposed of on a daily basis. Contact lenses can be made of different materials, some better and more breathable than others, depending on the type or brand whether it be daily disposable or monthly disposable. Both daily disposable contact lenses and monthly disposable contact lenses can come in the best and most breathable materials.
Q. Please clarify the difference between what we are speaking about replacement frequency, vs. daily wear or extended wear contacts, which is an issue of wearing Schedule.
A. Replacement frequency refers to how often one should replace their contact lenses. Daily disposable contact lenses were made to be replaced on a daily basis. Biweekly disposable contact lenses were made to be replaced every two weeks. Monthly disposable contact lenses were made to be replaced every month or 30 days. Daily wear of contact lenses means that the contact lenses need to be removed from the eyes and cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. Extended-wear contact lenses mean they are approved per manufacturer guidelines for continuous wear for a certain number of days, depending on the type and brand of the contact lenses. Extended-wear contact lenses also need to be cleaned and disinfected after a certain number of days per manufacturer guidelines.
Q. Are there advantages to single-use contact lenses? What are they?
A. Daily disposable contact lenses are single-use contact lenses that are made to be replaced on a daily basis. Daily disposable contact lenses are the healthiest option for contact lenses since users of this type of contact lens get a fresh new pair of contact lenses to wear every day. Daily disposable contact lenses tend to be the most comfortable contact lenses and are better for those that experience eye allergies.
Q. What do you find, in particular, most exciting about single-use contact lenses, that brings you to recommend them to the patients in your care?
A. I like the idea of a fresh new pair of contact lenses on a daily basis and disposing of the contact lenses at the end of the day and not having to worry about cleaning and disinfecting them. People that experience eye allergies can also greatly benefit from daily disposable contact lenses. It is the healthiest option of contact lenses. Not only do I recommend daily disposable contact lenses, I also wear this type of contact lens myself.
Q. Do you find that your patients express positive feedback about dailly disposables, and what is it that they are most happy with?
A. Yes! With daily disposable contact lenses, my patients love the fact that they get a fresh new pair of contact lenses to wear on a daily basis and dispose of them at the end of the day and not have to clean and disinfect them.
Q. Will it be more expensive for me if I need to use a new pair of contacts every day?
A. It generally is the more expensive option, but to me the health of your eyes outweigh the cost. Insurance benefits can greatly help reduce the cost and our office provides exclusive rebates to help our patients save even more!
Q. Are there certain conditions of the eye, or any other reason why you would specifically recommend to a patient the use of single use contact lenses?
A. Yes! Daily disposable contact lenses can definitely help with those that experience eye allergies and a condition called giant papillary conjunctivitis which can be thought of as allergic bumps underneath the eyelid.
Q. Are daily disposable contacts available for patients that wear specialty contact Lenses?
A. It depends. If the specialty contact lens was prescribed for a certain eye condition, then probably not. However, every situation is different.
Q. Is there anyone that is just not a candidate for daily disposable contacts?
A. Yes, it depends on the patient's prescription, the health of their eyes, and if they are responsible enough to maintain contact lens hygiene.
Q. Is there any further information that patients should know about daily disposables vs. traditional or reusable contacts?
A. Yes, contact lenses have greatly developed and improved over the years. If you have been told in the past that contact lenses do not come in your power, there is a good chance that there is now.