Contact lenses can be a convenient alternative to eyeglasses but are more expensive. Instead of making a one-time purchase, you commit to spending money regularly over time. Without insurance, the average cost of contact lenses is around $150-$1000 per year.
Type of Contact Lens
Below is a table summarizing how the type of contact lens affects the total cost per month and year.
| Type of Contact Lens | Cost Per Month | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Use | $50-$75 | $600-$900 |
| Biweekly Use | $20-$35 | $270-$360 |
| Monthly Use | $15-$25 | $180-$300 |
| Extended-Wear | $30-$40 | $360-$450 |
Daily Disposable Contact Lenses
Daily disposables are more expensive because they provide ease of use. With daily disposable lenses, you do not have to worry about spending money on contact lens solutions or storage cases because you dispose of them daily. They typically come in boxes of 30 or 90 lenses.
| Number of Lenses Per Box | Average Cost Per Box |
|---|---|
| 30 | $25-$50 |
| 90 | $50-$100 |
Weekly and Monthly Disposable Contact Lenses
Weekly disposables can be worn for 1-2 weeks at a time before requiring replacement. Monthly disposable lenses can be worn for up to 1-3 months. You wear them throughout the day and store them in contact lens storage cases at night.
These types of lenses tend to come in boxes of 6 lenses. Because they can be reused for a specified amount of time, biweekly and monthly disposable lenses are usually significantly less expensive than daily disposable lenses.
Extended-Wear Contact Lenses
Unlike disposable contacts, extended-wear contacts are meant for long-term use. You can wear them throughout the day and sleep with them at night. They are replaced on a schedule you decide on with your eye doctor.
Extended-wear contacts are helpful for people who don’t want to touch their eyes frequently, want to wake up with clear vision, and want less hassle in their morning routines. They are, however, more expensive than weekly or monthly disposable contacts.
