Contact Lenses

Lens.com carries ocular contact lenses across every major replacement schedule, daily, biweekly, monthly, and many more, from the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. The selection covers standard sphere prescriptions, astigmatism, presbyopia, and extended wear needs across a wide range of leading brands.

Contact lenses can be classified into 4 main categories based on their material, prescription design, replacement schedule, and wear schedule. These categories describe different features of a lens and can overlap within the same product.

By Material

There are 2 primary contact lens material categories, soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP). Soft contact lenses are made from flexible materials, including hydrogel and silicone hydrogel, that allow oxygen to reach the cornea. They adapt to the shape of the eye and are available for different prescriptions and replacement schedules. Silicone hydrogel materials generally allow greater oxygen transmission than traditional hydrogel materials.

Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contacts are made from firmer, oxygen-permeable materials that maintain their shape on the eye. They are durable, resistant to deposit buildup, and can provide clear vision for standard prescriptions and certain corneal conditions. Unlike soft lenses, which often feel comfortable sooner, RGP lenses may take several weeks to get used to and require a specific fitting and care routine.

By Prescription Design

There are 3 common corrective contact lens designs, spherical, toric, and multifocal. Spherical contacts correct nearsightedness or farsightedness using a single prescribed optical power. Toric contacts correct astigmatism and include 2 additional prescription values, cylinder (CYL) and axis (AX), with the axis measured from 1 to 180 degrees. Multifocal contacts incorporate multiple focusing powers to address presbyopia, allowing wearers to see at different distances without switching between separate pairs of glasses.

Colored contacts are another design option that can enhance or change eye color and are available with or without vision correction. Even lenses with 0.00 diopters of corrective power, commonly called plano lenses, require a valid contact lens prescription in the United States. The appropriate design depends on your vision needs, prescription, and the lens fitted by your eye care professional.

By Replacement and Wear Schedule

Contact lenses generally have 2 replacement approaches, single-use and planned replacement. Daily disposable contacts are worn once and discarded after removal, while reusable soft lenses may have replacement schedules of 7, 14, or 30 days, depending on the product. Reusable contacts must be cleaned, disinfected, and stored as directed between uses, and their replacement period begins when the package is opened.

Wear schedules are divided into 2 main categories, daily wear and extended wear. Daily-wear contacts must be removed before sleeping, while certain extended-wear lenses are approved for continuous wear ranging from 1 to 6 nights or up to 30 days, depending on the specific lens and professional guidance. A monthly replacement schedule does not automatically permit overnight wear, and sleeping in contacts increases the risk of serious eye infections even when the lenses are approved for extended wear.

Dry eyes can make contact lenses uncomfortable, especially during long hours of wear. Some lenses have materials and moisture-retaining features designed to reduce dryness and improve comfort.

These 10 contact lenses from Lens.com's best-selling list have different materials, replacement schedules, and moisture technologies. Your eye doctor can help determine which one suits your eyes.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don't produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly. Common symptoms include burning, redness, blurry vision, light sensitivity, and a gritty feeling in the eyes.

Dry eye is associated with aging, hormonal changes, certain medications, medical conditions, and environmental factors such as wind and dry air. Long periods of screen use can also worsen symptoms by reducing how often you blink.

What Are the Best Contact Lenses for Dry Eyes?

The following 10 contact lenses feature materials and technologies developed for moisture retention, surface wetting, or deposit resistance.

1. ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology

These two-week silicone hydrogel lenses use HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology, which incorporates a wetting agent into the lens material to maintain a smooth surface during wear.

2. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA monthly lenses use MoistureSeal Technology to retain moisture during wear. They're designed for people who spend long periods using digital devices.

3. AIR OPTIX AQUA

AIR OPTIX AQUA monthly silicone hydrogel lenses feature surface technology designed to resist deposits and maintain lens wettability.

4. Biofinity

Biofinity monthly contacts use Aquaform Technology to retain water within the lens material. Their silicone hydrogel material also permits oxygen to reach the cornea.

5. 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST

These daily disposable contacts use LACREON Technology, which embeds a moisture-holding ingredient into the lens. Each pair is discarded after one day of use.

6. Biotrue ONEday

Biotrue ONEday lenses use HyperGel material with 78% water content. These daily disposables are designed to maintain moisture during wear and include UV protection.

7. DAILIES TOTAL1

DAILIES TOTAL1 lenses have Water Gradient Technology, with increasing water content toward the lens surface. They also feature SmarTears Technology, which releases an ingredient found naturally in tears.

8. ACUVUE OASYS 1-DAY with HydraLuxe TECHNOLOGY

These daily disposable silicone hydrogel contacts use HydraLuxe Technology, designed to work with the eye's natural tear film and reduce friction during blinking.

9. PureVision

PureVision monthly silicone hydrogel contacts use AerGel material designed to resist deposits on the lens surface. Their rounded edges are designed to reduce interaction with the eyelids.

10. AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde

AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde monthly lenses combine SmartShield Technology for deposit resistance with HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix for surface moisture retention.

A note about water content: Higher water content doesn't automatically make a contact lens better for dry eyes. Lens material, surface properties, fit, and your tear film all affect comfort.

How Can You Manage Dry Eyes While Wearing Contact Lenses?

• Follow your replacement schedule. Replace daily, bi-weekly, and monthly lenses as prescribed.

• Use fresh contact lens solution. Clean and disinfect reusable contacts as directed. Don't mix used solution with fresh solution.

• Try contact lens-compatible rewetting drops. Ask your eye doctor which drops are suitable for your lenses.

• Take screen breaks. Blink regularly and rest your eyes during long periods of computer or phone use.

• Remove contacts before sleeping. Only sleep in lenses specifically approved and prescribed for overnight wear.

• Wear glasses when needed. Give your eyes a break if contacts become uncomfortable.

If dryness continues, ask your eye doctor to assess your tear film and contact lens fit. Remove your contacts and seek prompt eye care if you experience pain, worsening redness, or sudden changes in vision.

Many people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia can wear contact lenses when an eye care professional confirms the appropriate fit and prescription. Contact lenses are available in spherical, toric, multifocal, and specialty designs for different vision needs, ages, and eye conditions.

• Adults with common refractive errors – Spherical contacts can correct nearsightedness or farsightedness when properly fitted and prescribed.
• People with astigmatism – Toric contact lenses are designed to provide the cylinder and axis correction needed for astigmatism.
• Adults with presbyopia – Multifocal or other professionally fitted contact lens options can support near and distance vision as focusing needs change with age.
• Children and teenagers – Younger wearers may be able to use contact lenses when they are mature enough to handle, insert, remove, and care for them safely under professional guidance.
• People with specialty vision or corneal needs – Rigid gas permeable, scleral, or other specialty lenses may be prescribed for certain corneal shapes or vision conditions.
• Wearers with dry eye, allergies, or recurring irritation – Contact lens suitability depends on eye health, tear-film quality, symptoms, and the lens material and fit recommended by an eye care professional.

There is no single contact lens type that works for every wearer. An eye examination and contact lens fitting help determine whether contacts are appropriate and which design, material, and wearing schedule suit your eyes. Remove your lenses and contact an eye care professional if you develop persistent discomfort, redness, or changes in vision.

Buying contact lenses online is straightforward when you have a current prescription for the lens fitted by your eye care professional. Your contact lens prescription is different from an eyeglass prescription and includes the information needed to order the correct product.

1. Have a valid contact lens prescription. Use a current prescription issued after your contact lens fitting; an eyeglass prescription cannot be substituted for it.
2. Match your prescribed lens and details. Check the exact brand or manufacturer, power, base curve, diameter, and any additional values such as cylinder and axis for toric lenses or add power for multifocal lenses.
3. Select the prescribed product and quantity. Choose the exact lens listed on your prescription, then select the appropriate box quantity or supply based on your needs.
4. Provide your prescription. Upload or submit a copy of your prescription, or provide your eye care professional's contact information so Lens.com can request verification when required.
5. Complete your order and delivery. Once the prescription requirements are satisfied and the order is processed, your contact lenses can be shipped to the delivery address provided at checkout.

Do not switch brands, lens designs, or replacement schedules solely because another product has a similar power. Different contact lenses can vary in material, dimensions, and fit, so a change should be approved by your eye care professional.

OD and OS identify your right and left eyes on a contact lens prescription. Each eye can have different lens measurements, so checking these abbreviations helps you order the correct contacts.

What Do OD and OS Mean?

The abbreviations come from Latin terms used in eye care:

• OD (Oculus Dexter): Right eye.

• OS (Oculus Sinister): Left eye.

• OU (Oculus Uterque): Both eyes.

Your prescription lists the measurements for each eye separately. If both eyes have the same prescription, the values under OD and OS will match.

What Do Other Contact Lens Prescription Abbreviations Mean?

Contact lens prescriptions contain additional measurements that determine lens power and fit.

• PWR or SPH (Power or Sphere): Lens strength measured in diopters. Negative values indicate nearsightedness, while positive values indicate farsightedness.

• BC (Base Curve): The curvature of the contact lens, measured in millimeters.

• DIA (Diameter): The width of the contact lens, measured in millimeters.

• CYL (Cylinder): The lens power used to correct astigmatism.

• AXIS: The orientation of astigmatism correction, measured in degrees.

• ADD (Addition): Extra magnifying power for near vision in multifocal lenses.

Not every prescription includes CYL, AXIS, or ADD. These measurements depend on your vision needs.

What Should You Check Before Ordering Contact Lenses?

Before buying contacts, check that the lens power, base curve, diameter, and prescribed lens name match your contact lens prescription. Confirm that you're entering the correct values for OD and OS.

Your prescription must also be valid and unexpired. Don't substitute a glasses prescription for a contact lens prescription, as contact lenses require separate fitting measurements and a prescribed lens type.

Daily disposable contacts are worn once and discarded after removal, so they do not need overnight cleaning or storage. Reusable contacts need the cleaning, disinfection, storage, and replacement routine recommended for the specific lens and care system.

For reusable contacts:

1. Wash and completely dry your hands before touching your lenses.
2. Rub and rinse the lenses with the recommended disinfecting solution when directed.
3. Use a fresh solution whenever you store reusable lenses and never top off old solutions.
4. Keep contact lenses away from tap water, showers, swimming pools, lakes, and hot tubs.
5. Clean the contact lens case with contact lens solution and allow it to dry properly.
6. Replace the storage case at least once every three months, or as directed by your eye care professional.
7. Replace your contacts according to their prescribed replacement schedule.

Water exposure deserves particular attention. CDC guidance states that Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious infection associated with water exposure, can sometimes require a year or more of treatment. Never use water or saliva to rinse, store, or moisten contact lenses.

Contact lens rebates help you save money by returning part of your purchase cost after you submit a claim. Lens.com has rebates on qualifying six-month and annual contact lens supplies. The amount you get back depends on the product and quantity purchased.

What Are Contact Lens Rebates?

A contact lens rebate is money returned to you after buying eligible contacts. Unlike an instant discount, a rebate requires you to pay the purchase price first and submit a claim afterward.

There are two types of contact lens rebates:

• Manufacturer rebates: Issued by contact lens manufacturers, with specific purchase and submission requirements.

• Retailer rebates: Issued or processed by retailers such as Lens.com through their own rebate programs.

Manufacturer rebates sometimes exclude online purchases or require proof of an eye exam. Check the terms before ordering.

Which Contact Lens Brands Have Rebates?

Rebates are available on selected contact lenses from popular manufacturers, including:

• ACUVUE

• Biofinity

• Clariti

• Air Optix

• DAILIES

• SofLens

• ULTRA

Rebate amounts and qualifying quantities depend on the product and current promotion.

How To Get Rebates At Lens.com

Lens.com has rebates on qualifying six-month and annual supplies from several contact lens manufacturers. You can see the rebate amount in your shopping cart when your order qualifies.

To claim your rebate:

1. Buy qualifying contacts. Check the rebate amount and purchase requirements before ordering. Eligible customers can also pay with FSA or HSA funds. Contact Lens.com if you need to split your payment.

2. Get your rebate form. Once your order ships, visit the Lens.com Rebate Center and print your form.

3. Submit your claim. Complete and mail the form to the listed address within 12 weeks of your order's shipping date.

4. Track your rebate. Processing takes approximately 12 weeks. You can check your claim status online through the Rebate Center.

5. Receive your rebate. After approval, your rebate arrives by mail as a Visa Prepaid Card.

Lens.com has one of the largest, independently held inventories of contact lenses. Plus, we make shopping for contacts simple, affordable, and convenient. Here's what makes the experience different

• You can take advantage of low online prices and rebates on eligible products, giving you more ways to lower the final cost of your contact lenses.
• Ordering is simple. All you need is your eye doctor's name and contact information to verify your prescription.
• Our website is built to make ordering, updating prescription details, and checking orders' status simple.
• We carry popular prescription contacts like Acuvue, Air Optix, Biofinity, and Proclear.
• We got an online vision test, which is another convenient way to handle vision needs without an in-office trip.

With low prices, rebate opportunities, fast shipping, simple prescription verification, and a website built for easy ordering. At Lens.com, we give you a better way to buy contacts online. It's a convenient choice for stocking up on the lenses you need while saving time, money, and extra trips to the eye doctor's office.