Monthly contact lenses are a type of daily-wear, reusable soft lens that can be worn every day over a month. They are made from a material that allows oxygen to pass through the lens to the cornea, making them breathable and suitable for everyday use, ensuring maximum comfort.

There are many different types of contacts available, and it can be daunting to choose the right type. If you’re thinking about wearing monthlies, you should consider your requirements such as usage, comfort, lifestyle and convenience. Here, we’ve rounded up all the information you’ll need to help make your decision easier.

Are monthly contact lenses safe?

Monthly contact lenses that your optician will recommend are made using the latest optical technology and are very safe when they are cleaned and stored properly and used according to the recommended schedule.

The biggest safety issue may be the slight risk of infection due to the nature of ‘putting something in your eye’. However, studies also show that many wearers tend to use their monthly contact lenses for up to twice as long as recommended.3 Also, it’s not uncommon for some people to leave them in overnight, increasing the risk of infection by twentyfold.3 This is why we encourage our wears to stay educated on tips for wearing contacts and to attend aftercare appointments with their optometrist to ensure they’re using their contact lenses correctly and safely.

Can you sleep with monthly contact lenses in?

Do not sleep in your lenses unless your eye care professional has advised that your eyes and lens type are suitable. Lenses that you sleep in are called extended wear and your practitioner will advise you on your wearing regime.

What are the benefits of monthly contact lenses?

The advantages of monthly disposables include:

  • They require relatively simple cleaning and disinfection
  • They’re available in most prescriptions
  • They’re positive for eye health and allow longer continued wear
  • Monthlies are a more cost-effective option compared to twice-monthlies and daily disposables2

Types of monthly contact lenses

Specsavers have a wide range of monthly contact lenses, depending on what they are needed for. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. You can explore the full range of contact lenses and order online.

Monthly contact lenses for astigmatism

People with astigmatism have blurred vision due to an irregular curvature of the cornea or lens. This is a very common condition which can be corrected with a type of lens called toric. Monthly toric contact lenses for astigmatism take care of this problem and provide the user with clear vision.

Monthly single-vision contact lenses

Single-vision contacts have one prescription across the entire lens. They help improve vision for a specific task, such as driving or reading. Monthly single-vision contacts can be reused for one month from opening before they need replacing.6

Monthly coloured contact lenses

There are three types of coloured contact lenses available. Lenses with a visibility tint can be seen better during application and removal but do not alter the user’s eye colour. Coloured contacts with an enhancement tint accentuate the natural eye colour of the user. Lenses with an opaque tint change the user’s eye colour completely. Monthly coloured contacts are available with or without prescription power and are designed for use up to 30 days.5

Monthly varifocal contact lenses

Varifocals are also called multifocal or progressive contact lenses. They have different prescriptions to address a range of vision problems. They are recommended for people with both near and distance vision difficulties. Monthly varifocal contact lenses can be used for one month from opening before they need to be replaced with a new pair.6

How much do monthly contact lenses cost?

Prices can vary for reusable contact lenses depending on your prescription. Specsavers monthly contact lenses prices start from as little as £5 per month when joining our easycare subscription service, your healthcare professional will recommend the best choice for your vision and lifestyle needs. 

How do you clean monthly contact lenses?

Reusable lenses must be cleaned every day after removing them. They should be gently rubbed and rinsed with the recommended contact lens solution and stored in fresh solution overnight. The disinfecting solution should never be reused, or topped up with water or with fresh solution. You can buy smaller bottles for holidays and travelling from your store.

Along with the lenses, the storage case should be replaced monthly. If you’re considering monthly contact lenses, discuss proper care with your optician and follow all instructions for cleaning and storage carefully.4 You can learn more about how to take care of your contact lenses here.

Order monthly contact lenses online

If you’re interested in monthly contact lenses, Specsavers has several options, including single-vision, multifocal, toric, and coloured. Book a consultation with one of our friendly Specsavers opticians today to find out if they are the right choice for your prescription and lifestyle. 

Still not sure which type of contact lens might be best? Head back to our contact lens types page to see what other options are available. 

Order monthly contact lenses View contact lens types

Find out more

Frequent monthly contact lens users can become a member of the Specsavers easycare subscription package, which includes free delivery, and provides several benefits, including free eye tests and contact lens appointments, free glasses, free replacement lenses, and access to a dedicated contact centre.

Easycare subscription package

FAQs

Are monthly contacts good for 30 days or 30 wears?

Monthly disposable contact lenses should be thrown away no longer than 30 days after opening, regardless of how often they have been worn. Sticking to the planned replacement schedule is important to prevent eye infections and other complications. If you think you are not getting enough use out of monthlies, consult your optometrist about alternative options, such as daily disposable contact lenses.

What are twice weekly contact lenses?

These are also usable lenses, but are discarded and replaced with a new pair every two weeks rather than every month. As with monthly contacts, they require daily cleaning and overnight storage in a special disinfecting contact lens solution. Twice-weeklies tend to be recommended for people who are prone to deposits or comfort issues towards the end of the month with a regular monthly disposable lens. Twice-monthly contacts may also benefit people with dry eyes who might find monthly contacts uncomfortable and daily disposables cost-prohibitive.

Types of contact lenses

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References
  1. Statista Research Department. (no date). Number of contact lens wearers in the UK and Ireland 1992-2014. [Online]. Available at: https://www.statista.com/stati... [Accessed 25 September 2019].
  2. American Optometric Association. (no date). Advantages and disadvantages of various types of contact lenses. [Online]. Available at: https://www.aoa.org/patients-a... [Accessed 25 September 2019].
  3. The Guardian. (no date). How safe are contact lenses? [Online]. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/li... [Accessed 25 September 2019].
  4. NHS. (no date). Contact lens safety. [Online]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/h... [Accessed 25 September 2019].
  5. All About Vision. (no date). Choosing the right coloured contact lenses. [Online]. Available at: https://www.allaboutvision.com... [Accessed 25 September 2019].
  6. Specsavers Australia. (no date). What are the different types of contact lenses? [Online]. Available at: https://www.specsavers.com.au/... [Accessed 25 September 2019].