Editor’s Note: All product prices mentioned in this article were from our research conducted in March 2023.
Are you having trouble finding a cheaper alternative to AIR OPTIX® NIGHT & DAY® AQUA? If so, you’re not alone.
Although this is the most doctor-recommended brand for people who sleep in their contact lenses, the cost of AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA can be a real burden to your wallet if you wear contact lenses regularly.
Luckily, there are cheaper alternatives you can try out, and we’ve rounded them up in this post for your convenience.
Monthly Disposable Contact Lenses: Are They for You?
AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA is a monthly disposable contact lens that is good for approximately 30 days. Afterward, you must dispose of your contact lenses and wear a fresh pair.
Many monthly contact lens brands are designed for daily wear only, whereas others, like AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA, are FDA-approved for overnight wear.
Monthly contacts come in many lens types, including toric and multifocal. They can correct:
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Farsightedness (hyperopia)
- Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness)
- Astigmatism
Other advantages of monthly disposable contact lenses include:
- They’re very comfortable – Monthly contact lenses are generally thicker than single-use lenses, so they hold moisture for longer and don’t dry up as quickly as single-use lenses. This makes monthly contact lenses more comfortable for people with more sensitive eyes.
- They’re cost-effective – One major upside of monthly contact lenses is how much cheaper they work out for regular users. With monthlies, you only need one pair of contacts for the entire month, whereas you’d need to buy 30 pairs of contacts if you wore dailies.
- They’re environmentally friendly – If you regularly wear contact lenses, investing in monthly contacts is an eco-friendly choice because you’ll be disposing of them only once a month. Compare that to the 30 pairs you’d need to dispose of if you wore dailies.
- They’re convenient for traveling – Monthly contacts are convenient for traveling because you only have to pack (and think about) one pair of contacts, along with a backup set and contact lens solution. If you wore dailies or bi-weekly contacts, you’d have to pack multiple pairs.
- They can be removed and worn again – Monthly contact lenses can be removed, cleaned, and used again. This starkly contrasts dailies, which must be disposed of after each use.
Who Can Wear Monthly Contact Lenses?
Good candidates for monthly contact lenses include the following:
- Contact lens wearers for whom budget is a concern,
- Contact lens wearers who prefer an environmentally friendly option,
- Frequent travelers, and
- Some contact lens wearers with sensitive eyes
Best Alternatives to AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA
To help you decide which brand is right for you, we reviewed several monthly contact lenses currently available on Lens.com. Here are our top picks for the best alternatives to AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA:
1. AIR OPTIX® AQUA
At only $23-$32 per box of 6 lenses, AIR OPTIX AQUA is one of the cheapest monthly contact lens brands on this list. Like AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA, this lens is FDA-approved for up to seven days of extended wear, and it is made of silicone hydrogel for a healthy wearing experience.
To ensure long-lasting comfort, AIR OPTIX AQUA features SmartShield® Technology, which protects the lens from irritating surface deposits, and TriComfort™ Technology, which maintains and maximizes moisture retention. Plus, AIR OPTIX AQUA features an ultra-smooth surface for optimal visual performance.
- Manufacturer: Alcon
- Material: Silicone Hydrogel
- Water Content: 33%
- Special Features: SmartShield Technology, TriComfort Technology
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (6-month supply)
2. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA®
Designed for the digital age, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA retains 95% of its moisture for 16 hours. This helps keep your eyes moist and comfortable, even when staring at a digital screen.
Like AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA, this monthly lens is FDA-approved for up to seven days of extended wear. It also supports a healthy wearing experience, thanks to its high oxygen transmissibility. Additionally, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA features Aspheric Optics for crisp, clear vision and reduced haloes and glare in low-light conditions.
A considerably cheaper option than AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA, Bausch + Lomb ULTRA costs between $35-$70 per box of 6 lenses.
- Manufacturer: Bausch + Lomb
- Material: Silicone Hydrogel
- Water Content: 46%
- Special Features: Aspheric Optics, MoistureSeal Technology
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (6-month supply)
3. Biofinity®
Biofinity by CooperVision is specially designed to deliver excellent visual performance, whether you’re nearsighted or farsighted. It is FDA-approved for daily wear and up to seven days of extended wear.
To ensure a comfortable wearing experience, Biofinity features Aquaform® Technology, which locks in water to maximize moisture retention. The lens also has smooth, rounded edges for minimal lens/lid interaction.
At only $31-$56 per box of 6 lenses, Biofinity is one of the cheapest monthly disposable contact lenses on the market!
- Manufacturer: CooperVision
- Material: Silicone Hydrogel
- Water Content: 48%
- Special Features: Aquaform Technology
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (6-month supply)
4. AIR OPTIX® plus HydraGlyde®
AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde combines the popular AIR OPTIX AQUA lens design with comfort-enhancing SmartShield Technology and Hydraglyde Moisture Matrix.
A highly breathable silicone hydrogel lens, AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde is FDA-approved for daily wear and up to seven days of extended wear.
You can purchase a 6-pack box of AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde for $29-$66, depending on the contact lens retailer.
- Manufacturer: Alcon
- Material: Silicone Hydrogel
- Water Content: 33%
- Special Features: SmartShield Technology, Hydraglyde Moisture Matrix
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (6-month supply)
5. Proclear® Compatibles
If you value comfort more than extended wear, try Proclear Compatibles by CooperVision. This lens features exclusive PC Technology™, which binds water to the lens to stay fresh and comfortable throughout the day.
A hydrogel lens, Proclear Compatibles, has a high water content. The Proclear lens material also resists irritating surface deposit buildup.
A 6-pack box of Proclear Compatibles can cost anywhere from $40-$60.
- Manufacturer: CooperVision
- Material: Hydrogel
- Water Content: 62%
- Special Features: PC Technology, Aspheric Optics
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (6-month supply)
Wrapping Up
AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA is an extended-wear monthly contact lens that offers excellent vision and comfort, but this brand can cost you a lot of money if you regularly wear contact lenses. Luckily, plenty of cheaper monthly contact lens brands offer the same (if not better) features as AIR OPTIX NIGHT & DAY AQUA.
We hope this article has helped you find the right monthly contact lenses for your needs. But remember that only a licensed eye care professional can ultimately determine which brand is best for you.
Lens.com carries all of the monthly contact lens brands mentioned in this article. Take advantage of our discount prices when shopping Lens.com!
