Contact lenses are a great choice for almost anyone who needs vision correction and doesn’t want to wear eyeglasses. Nowadays, there are many different types of contacts, including weekly lenses and monthly contacts. Both have their benefits, and each offers something different. But which is better?
In this article, we discuss the pros and cons of weekly and monthly contacts as well as the main differences between the two. After reading this guide and consulting with your eye doctor, you’ll be better equipped to decide which type of lens best suits your needs.
What are weekly and monthly contacts?
2 week contacts, also known as weeklies, are contacts that can be worn daily for up to 14 days. After 14 days, you throw them away and use a brand new pair of contacts. Some weeklies are also FDA-approved for overnight wear, but these are typically replaced after seven days.
Monthly contacts, on the other hand, are contacts that are worn daily for up to 30 days. After 30 days, you throw them away and use a fresh pair. As is the case with some weekly lenses, some monthly contact lenses can be worn overnight or continuously for several days. These types of monthly contacts typically need to be replaced well before the 30-day mark.
What are the pros and cons of weekly contact lenses?
2 week contacts are popular among many lens wearers for the following reasons:
- Affordable – Weekly lenses are cheaper than contacts with a true disposable schedule. This makes them a great choice for contact lens wearers on a budget.
- Reusable – Weekly contacts can be worn daily for up to 14 days before they need to be disposed of and replaced with a fresh pair.
- Overnight or extended wear – Some weekly lenses are FDA-approved for overnight or extended wear. Such contacts may be especially beneficial for people who sometimes forget to remove their contacts before bed as well as those who prefer a flexible wearing schedule.
That said, weekly disposable contact lenses are not without disadvantages. These include:
- Irritation – Even with regular cleaning, reusable contacts like weekly lenses can accumulate deposits that can otherwise irritate the eyes.
- Increased risk of complications – Wearing weekly contacts and other reusable lenses for several days, even those approved for overnight wear, can increase your risk of contact lens-related complications.
- High maintenance – Reusable contacts like weekly lenses need to be cleaned and stored correctly to avoid eye infections and other problems. However, this process may feel tedious or time-consuming if you have a busy schedule.
What are the best weekly contacts?
Lens.com carries several popular brands of 2 week contacts. For your reference, here’s a list of the best-selling weekly contacts on Lens.com for 2022.
| Rank | The Best-Selling Weekly Contact Lenses of 2022 on Lens.com |
| 1 | ACUVUE® OASYS with HYDRACLEAR® PLUS |
| 2 | Biomedics® 55 premier aspheric |
| 3 | ACUVUE® 2 |
| 4 | SofLens 38 |
| 5 | Avaira Vitality™ |
| 6 | ACUVUE® OASYS with Transitions™ |
| 7 | Extreme H2O 54% |
| 8 | Avaira Toric |
| 9 | Biomedics® toric |
| 10 | SofLens 59 |
Who should wear weekly contact lenses?
Weekly disposable contacts offer a unique set of benefits for lens wearers seeking longer life from their contacts but crave that fresh lens feeling. Weekly lenses are also a solid candidate for people who can stick to a lens care routine.
What are the pros and cons of monthly contact lenses?
Monthly contact lenses offer several unique benefits, including:
- Lower cost – Monthly contacts are generally cheaper up front than weekly lenses because you only need at least one pair of contacts per month.
- Less waste – Monthly contacts generate less waste than weekly lenses. With monthly contacts, you only need 12 pairs of contacts every year. You would need double that amount if you were using weekly lenses.
- Durable – Monthly contacts are more durable than weekly lenses because they’re meant to last for up to 30 days.
- Overnight or extended wear – Some monthly contacts are FDA-approved for overnight or extended wear. Such contacts are ideal for people who sometimes forget to take out their contacts before bed.
Unfortunately, monthly contacts have a few downsides. These include:
- Prone to deposit buildup – Proteins and deposits can build up on the surface of lenses over time, even if you clean your contacts every day. Since monthly lenses are worn for a longer period, they’re naturally more susceptible to deposit buildup, which can otherwise irritate your eyes. This can be an issue if you have allergies or dry eyes.
- High risk of infections and eye problems – Since monthly lenses are prone to deposit buildup, they may increase your risk of contact lens-related complications.
- High maintenance – Because you’ll wear monthly contacts for a longer period, you’ll need to follow a strict lens care regimen. You’ll also need to purchase lens solution and lens cases regularly.
- Easy to overwear – Unless you pay very close attention to dates, you may have a hard time remembering when you started wearing a pair of contacts. This is dangerous as it can cause you to overwear your lenses. Overwearing contacts has been shown to cause eyelid swelling, light sensitivity, and inflammation of the cornea.
What are the best monthly contacts?
For your reference, we put together a list of the best-selling monthly contacts on Lens.com for 2022.
| Rank | The Best-Selling Monthly Contact Lenses of 2022 on Lens.com |
| 1 | Biofinity® toric |
| 2 | AIR OPTIX® AQUA |
| 3 | Biofinity® |
| 4 | AIR OPTIX® plus HydraGlyde® |
| 5 | ACUVUE® VITA™ |
| 6 | Proclear® compatibles |
| 7 | Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® |
| 8 | Biofinity Energys® |
| 9 | PureVision®2 HD |
| 10 | AIR OPTIX® NIGHT & DAY® AQUA |
Who should wear monthly contact lenses?
Monthly contacts are suitable for lens wearers who can follow a rigid lens care routine. Because monthly contacts are generally built to stay moist and comfortable for up to 30 days, they may also be a solid candidate for lens wearers with sensitive eyes.
Can you sleep in weekly and monthly contacts?
Some weekly and monthly contacts are FDA-approved for overnight wear. That said, you should still be careful when wearing them to bed or continuously for several days. Contacts can deprive eyes of oxygen and increase your risk of eye infections and other complications. To keep your eyes healthy, experts advise giving your eyes a break from contacts every now and then.
Can I switch from weekly to monthly contacts, or vice versa?
Yes, if you already wear contacts, then you should have no problem adjusting to weekly or monthly contacts. If you’re interested in switching from weekly to monthly contacts, or vice versa, book an appointment with your eye doctor.
Conclusion: which contact lens is better?
Weekly and monthly contacts offer unique benefits, and no two lens wearers are alike. Only your eye care professional (ECP) can determine which type of lens is best for you. If you’re interested in trying weekly or monthly contacts, schedule a visit with your ECP to discuss options.
This information is intended as a resource, not medical advice. Be sure to consult with your ECP to determine your specific needs.
