- With daily disposable lenses, you’re mainly paying for the lenses themselves, as you use a new pair every day.
- Your monthly costs depend on the number of days you wear them each week and the type of lens.
- With daily disposable lenses, you don’t need lens solution or a lens case, but you do need a check-up.
- If you wear lenses every day, daily disposable lenses usually cost more per month than monthly lenses; if you wear them just a few days a week, the situation may be the other way round.
- Wearing daily disposable contact lenses for longer than one day does not save you money, as it increases the risk of irritation and infection.
How much do daily disposable contact lenses cost per month? That figure depends entirely on your wearing pattern and the type of lenses you use, as you use a new pair every day. Many wearers compare the box price of daily disposable lenses with that of monthly lenses, but this isn’t a fair comparison: monthly lenses come with lens solution and a lens case, whereas daily disposables do not. In this article, you’ll find out how the costs are calculated, what items are included, and how to compare daily and monthly lenses on a like-for-like basis. You’ll be given an annual cost calculation method that you can fill in yourself, plus the questions to ask at the counter. We’ll start by explaining what a daily disposable lens is, so you understand exactly what you’re paying for. That way, you’ll be well prepared when you visit your optician.
What makes up the monthly cost of daily disposable contact lenses?
With daily disposable lenses, you’re mainly paying for the lenses themselves. You use a new pair every day and throw them away after use. Your monthly costs therefore depend on how many days a week you wear lenses and on the type of lens. On top of that, there are check-ups with your contact lens specialist and, occasionally, moisturising drops. You don’t need lens solution or a lens case.
Calculate in three steps. First, work out how many days a week you wear your lenses. Next, allow for two lenses per day of wear if you wear lenses in both eyes, and multiply that by the number of weeks in a year. Finally, divide the annual total by twelve to get the monthly cost. As a daily disposable lens is for single use, the number of days you wear them is the key factor to consider. Anyone who wears lenses every day uses far more than someone who only wears them at the weekend or when playing sport. You should therefore base your calculation on your actual wearing pattern rather than a standard assumption, so that your monthly cost reflects your actual usage.
Why do daily disposable contact lenses vary so much in price?
Daily disposable contact lenses vary in material, moisture content, oxygen permeability and design. A spherical daily disposable contact lens is simpler in design than a toric or multifocal daily disposable contact lens, which corrects for astigmatism or multiple focal lengths. Pack size is also a factor: a small box often costs more per lens than a large one. Ask your optician which daily disposable lens is suitable for your eyes and what the total cost will be.
In simple terms: the material determines how soft and how oxygen-permeable a lens is, and the moisture content affects how well your lens lasts throughout the day without feeling dry. Oxygen permeability indicates how much oxygen reaches your cornea through the lens, which is important for the health of your eye. A lens made from a more advanced material or with a more complex design costs more to manufacture and is therefore more expensive in the shop. Which lens is right for you depends on your eyes and how often you wear them, not just on the price. So make sure you get advice on the right contact lenses for your eyes, rather than simply choosing the cheapest pack.
Are daily disposable contact lenses more expensive per month than monthly disposable contact lenses?
Usually, yes, if you wear lenses every day. With daily disposable lenses, you pay for a new pair every day, whereas with monthly lenses, you use one pair per month plus solution and a lens case. If you only wear lenses a few days a week, the difference becomes smaller or even reverses. You should therefore work out the costs for your own wearing pattern, together with your optician.
Compare by individual items rather than a single total cost. With daily disposable lenses, you have one item: the lenses. With monthly lenses, you have three: the lenses, the lens solution and the lens case, plus the eye test in both cases. If you wear lenses every day, the daily cost of a pair of daily disposable lenses adds up quickly, and monthly lenses are often better value. If you only wear lenses a few days a week, with daily disposables you only pay for those days and there’s no cost for solution, which can make a big difference to the overall cost. If you’d like to see the other side of the equation, take a look at the breakdown of the costs for monthly lenses and read about what a monthly lens is. Work out the figures for both options based on your situation.
Do you need lens solution for daily disposable lenses?
No, with daily disposable lenses, you don’t need lens solution or a lens case. You put in a new pair every morning and throw the lenses away at the end of the day. So never store a daily disposable lens in solution for the next day. However, your optician may sometimes recommend moisturising drops for dry eyes. In that case, ask which product is suitable for use with lenses.
A daily disposable contact lens is not designed to be stored, so storing lenses in solution does not apply to this type of lens. A used daily disposable contact lens has absorbed tear fluid and debris throughout the day and should be disposed of in the bin at the end of the day. However, a few hygiene steps still apply: wash your hands before inserting the lens and never use water on or near the lens. Water can carry microorganisms such as Acanthamoeba, which can infect your eye. If you often suffer from dry eyes, ask your optician for moisturising eye drops suitable for use with contact lenses, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
Can you wear daily disposable contact lenses for longer to save money?
No, a daily disposable contact lens is designed for single use each day. If you wear it for longer, proteins, fats and micro-organisms will build up on the lens. This increases the risk of irritation, redness and a corneal infection. You’ll save very little and be taking an unnecessary risk. If you want to save money, discuss a different type of lens or wearing schedule with your optician.
The manufacturer’s instructions are clear on this point: a daily disposable contact lens is designed for a single day’s use and does not require any cleaning or disinfection. If you wear them for longer, you’ll miss that step and deposits will remain on the lens. This increases the risk of irritation and infection, and research by the RIVM shows that serious corneal infections do occur among contact lens wearers. Take symptoms such as a red eye, pain, sensitivity to light or blurred vision seriously: remove your lenses and contact your optician or ophthalmologist. The few euros you might save are not worth the risk of an infection and the associated recovery time.
Are cheaper daily disposable contact lenses always of lower quality?
No, a lower price does not automatically mean a poorer-quality lens. All contact lenses sold in the European Union must comply with European regulations for medical devices and carry a CE mark. What matters most is whether the lens fits your eyes: curvature, diameter, material and prescription. That fit determines your comfort, and your contact lens specialist will assess it.
The CE mark means that the manufacturer declares that the lens complies with European requirements for medical devices. This mark indicates safety and regulatory compliance, but does not guarantee that the lens is suitable for your eyes. Two lenses with the same marking can feel very different, depending on their curvature, diameter and material. That is why you should not choose a daily disposable lens based on price, but on fit and prescription. Your contact lens specialist will examine your eyes and determine which lens fits properly. In the Netherlands, the regulatory authority oversees the sale and distribution of contact lenses. A cheaper lens that fits well may be perfectly suitable for you; an expensive lens that doesn’t fit is not.
How to discuss the cost of daily disposable contact lenses with your optician
Take your wearing pattern with you to your appointment: how many days a week do you wear lenses, and for how long each day? Ask for an annual breakdown, including the check-up, and work that back down to a monthly cost. Also ask what happens if a lens doesn’t fit properly. This way, you can compare daily and monthly lenses in the same way.
Four questions will help you get started at the counter: which daily disposable lens is right for my eyes, how much does it cost per year including the eye test, how much do I pay per month when I work it out, and what happens if a lens doesn’t fit properly or my prescription changes? The contact lens specialist will assess your eyes and work through the costs with you, so that you get a clear picture. If you can’t visit your own optician, look for a local stockist where you can also go for a check-up. That way, you’re not just buying lenses, but you’ll also receive the fitting and aftercare that are essential for safe lens use.
Ask your contact lens specialist which daily disposable lenses are suitable for your eyes and how much they cost in your situation. Find a stockist.
This information is of a general nature and is not a substitute for personal advice. If you have any concerns or are in any doubt, please consult your contact lens specialist, optician or (eye) doctor.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of daily disposable contact lenses
How many daily disposable contact lenses do you use each month?
Allow for two lenses per day of wear if you wear lenses in both eyes. Multiply the number of days you wear lenses each week by two, and then by the number of weeks. This will tell you how many lenses you need per month. For example, if you wear lenses five days a week, you’ll use ten lenses a week and around 43 lenses a month. If you only wear lenses at the weekend or when playing sport, that number will be much lower. It’s best to work out the annual total and then divide that down to a monthly figure at the end, as this takes into account the weeks when you wear more or fewer lenses. This gives you a realistic picture of your actual usage.
Are daily disposable contact lenses better value if you only wear them a few days a week?
Often, yes. You only pay for the days you wear your lenses, and you don’t need any solution or a lens case. Discuss with your optician which type of lens suits your wearing pattern. With monthly lenses, you pay the full price of the lens and the associated care products, even if you only wear them a few days a week, as the shelf life after opening continues as normal. With daily disposable lenses, you pay purely per day of wear, with no ongoing care costs. For someone who wears lenses only occasionally – for example, when playing sport or on special occasions – daily disposable lenses are therefore often the logical and hygienic choice. Work it out with your optician based on your wearing pattern, so you can be sure which type of lens offers the best value for you.
Do toric or multifocal daily disposable contact lenses cost more?
These lenses are generally in a higher price bracket, as their design is more complex and fitting them takes more time. Ask your optician how much the lens in your prescription costs. You may also need more check-ups. A toric daily disposable lens corrects astigmatism and must remain stable in place, whilst a multifocal daily disposable lens combines multiple prescriptions in a single lens. Both designs are more complicated to manufacture and require a more precise fitting than a standard spherical lens. That extra fitting time and any additional check-ups are inherent to the lens type and represent a genuine cost. So don’t just ask your optician about the price of the lenses; ask for the total cost, including fitting and aftercare, so that you know what the lenses will actually cost in your situation.
Does health insurance cover daily disposable contact lenses?
Only in certain medical cases and subject to conditions that vary by insurance policy. Ask your insurer about your policy terms and discuss the medical indication with your optician or contact lens specialist. Standard prescription lenses are usually not covered; this applies to specific situations where contact lenses provide a significantly better correction than spectacles. In such cases, part of the cost may be covered by basic insurance or supplementary insurance, often with a personal contribution. As the terms and conditions vary by insurer and from year to year, your own policy is the guiding factor. Ask your insurer one specific question: am I eligible for reimbursement for contact lenses based on my medical assessment, and what is my co-payment? The medical assessment itself is carried out by your treating practitioner, not the optician at the counter.
Are larger packs better value?
Per lens, often yes, but only if you use them up within the expiry date and your prescription doesn’t change. If your prescription changes after a check-up, you’ll be left with unused lenses. Ask your optician what makes sense in your situation. A large box of daily disposable lenses reduces the price per lens, which seems attractive. However, this is only an advantage if you’re certain you’ll use the lenses in time and that your prescription is stable. If your prescription changes, you’ll no longer be able to wear the remaining lenses, and the saving will be lost. If you haven’t been wearing lenses for very long or are due for a check-up, choose a smaller pack to start with. If your prescription has been stable for years and you wear lenses every day, a larger pack is often the better value for money.
Do you need any accessories with daily disposable contact lenses?
You don’t need a lens case or storage solution. Some wearers use tweezers to remove the lens from its packaging, or use moisturising drops for dry eyes. Ask your optician what’s suitable for use with lenses. The main advantage of daily disposable lenses is precisely that they eliminate the need for maintenance: no case to replace and no solution to buy regularly. That cuts down on the number of steps involved and, consequently, the number of opportunities for things to go wrong. All that remains is basic hygiene: wash your hands before inserting and removing your lenses. If you’re prone to dry eyes, your optician can recommend moisturising eye drops that are safe to use with contact lenses. Do not use just any eye drops, as not every product is suitable for use with contact lenses.
How much does a check-up with a contact lens specialist cost?
This varies from practice to practice, so check the charges with your own optician or contact lens specialist. Include the check-up in your annual overview. Sometimes the check-up is included in an appointment or subscription with the practice. The check-up is an essential part of safe lens use, as it involves assessing the fit of your lenses and checking that your cornea and tear film remain healthy. As each practice has different charges and arrangements, there is no fixed amount. You should therefore ask your optician how check-ups are organised at their practice and whether they are included in a package or subscription. Always include the check-up in your annual overview, so that you can compare daily and monthly lenses in the same way and the check-up doesn’t come as an unexpected extra cost later on.
Are daily disposable lenses more hygienic than monthly lenses?
You start each day with a new lens and don’t need to clean or store them, which means fewer steps where things can go wrong. That doesn’t mean you can be less careful, though: washing your hands is still essential. You’ll decide which type of lens is right for you in consultation with your specialist. As daily disposable lenses do not require a lens case or storage solution, they eliminate the steps where mistakes can sometimes occur with monthly lenses – such as a case not being replaced properly or solution being topped up rather than replaced. Nevertheless, safe lens use starts with clean hands and following the instructions, whatever type of lens you use. Whether daily or monthly lenses are better suited to you depends not only on hygiene but also on your eyes, your wearing pattern and your budget. Discuss these considerations with your contact lens specialist.
Can you keep a daily disposable contact lens for the next day?
No. A daily disposable lens is intended for single use, and the manufacturer does not provide any storage advice for reuse. Dispose of the lens at the end of the day. A daily disposable lens is thinner and has a different structure to a monthly lens, and is not designed to be cleaned and stored. If you were to place it in solution for the next day, the lens would lose the properties required for safe reuse and the build-up from a whole day’s wear would remain on it. This increases the risk of irritation and infection. The apparent advantage of a lens that you can use for two days does not outweigh that risk. If you need lenses regularly and do not want a new pair every day, discuss with your optician whether monthly lenses might be a better option for you.
Where can you buy daily disposable contact lenses if your optician doesn’t have them in stock?
Your optician can reorder lenses from their supplier at short notice. If you’d like to know where to go, check the list of stockists. Buy your lenses from a stockist where you can also have your eyes checked. It’s tempting to order online quickly when stocks run out, but the advantage of buying from your own optician is that the fitting, check-up and aftercare are all handled in one place. If your prescription isn’t in stock, reordering usually only takes a few days. This way, you’ll keep the lenses that have been fitted specifically for you and stay with a retailer who knows your eyes. If you have any issues, a specialist who knows your lenses and your eyes can assess the problem more quickly than a supplier who simply sends you the product.
