The Best Frequency Contact Lenses

Used by as many as 30 million people worldwide, contact lenses (contacts) have evolved from a primitive device made of glass to their current disposable design. These changes have made them cheaper, safer and more readily available than in the past, increasing the options of wearers. Today, customers can take advantage of this variety by choosing from several lens types, focusing on comfort and frequency of change.

Dailies

• Offered by all major contact lens companies, including Bausch & Lomb and Vistakon, daily wear contacts are meant to be worn during the day and taken out before bed. There is no cleaning or overnight storage, making this an easy and convenient option. Eye infections and other complications are minimized, though proper wear (limit to 12 hours per day, etc.) is still a must for optimum eye health. Sold in several size packages, between a 10-day and 90-day supply, they are ideal for occasional wearers. The primary consideration is the increased cost of these contacts.

Extended Wear

• A newer design, extended-wear lenses are created to allow more oxygen to the cornea. The result is a lens that's safer to wear overnight, for up to six straight days without overnight cleaning. Convenient for students and other consumers with long schedules, these lenses protect eye health and increase comfort after sleep versus other lenses. Overnight cleaning is required after six days of wear, and each lens can be used for anywhere between two weeks and a month. The cost is generally a little higher than average-wear lenses, but is on average less than daily wear.

Two-Week Wear

• The most commonly used lenses, bi-weekly wear are used for up to 14 12-hour days then thrown away. Ideal for average users, bi-weekly lenses are more economical, and usually provide optimum comfort for average wearers. They are designed to be removed during sleep for cleaning, and if done properly complications including infection and corneal ulcers are minimal. These lenses generally provide the widest selection of colors, styles and prescriptions, including specialty lenses for astigmatism.