The Daily Cost of Contact Lenses
Have you ever wondered how much it costs to wear contact lenses? Is there a difference between wearing monthly or weekly replacable lenses and daily disposable contact lenses?
We put together a simple table showing the daily cost per eye for some of the most popular lenses on the market. We started with a comparison of lenses for myopia/hyperopia, soon to be followed by a cost comparison of lenses for astigmatism as well as multifocal lenses.
ACUVUE® OASYS® with Transitions®
The world's first contact lens that adapts to changing light conditions. On April 11, 2018, Johnson & Johnson Vision announced ACUVUE OASYS® with Transitions® Light Intelligent Technology™. The technology we have known and used for years when wearing glasses that automatically darken as they are exposed to more light, will soon be available within a contact lens.
A contact lens with vision correction and special photochromic molecules that provide a dynamic light filter based on the amount of light they are exposed to. Whether outside in the sun or indoors exposed to bright light, ACUVUE OASYS® with Transitions® adjust to a wide range of light conditions.
We think this innovative new technology could - similar to the first daily disposable silicone hydrogel lenses - revolutionize the contact lens industry and provide new benefits to patients around the globe. Johnson & Johnson Vision developed this new lens technology in partnership with Transitions Optical, a leading manufacturer of various photochromic products.
An overview of silicone hydrogel contact lenses
Once upon a time contact lenses were made of glass. Lens materials gradually got more eye friendly but not were too comfy - and most - drastically blocked oxygen; what your eyes need to stay fresh and healthy. Finally in the late 1960's there was a break-through: Soft gel-like plastics called hydrogels. Hydrogels are soft and comfortable and they are hydrophilic which means they can hold a lot of water.
That's key because the water in the lens material helps transmit more oxygen, helping keep eyes healthier and feeling better. As a result, hydrogel contacts became the standard. Then, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care revolutionized hydrogel lenses by introducing the first disposables. And hydrogel lenses still improve millions of lives every day.
So, end of story? Not quite. Hydrogels work well but they still don't let your eyes breathe as easy as they'd like. High water content can mean a thicker lens for durability at the same time limiting the flow of oxygen. Which brings us to the 21st century and the next leap forward.
Daily Cost of Multifocal Lenses
The daily cost of wearing multifocal contact lenses is surprisingly lower than most people would expect. While on average, multifocal lenses are more expensive than myopic lenses, the daily cost per eye can be as low as 25 cents for monthly replaceable lenses. In comparison the cost for daily disposable lenses is much higher and can be up to $1.77.
We put together a simple table showing the daily cost per eye for some of the most popular multifocal lenses on the market.
Biofinity Energys - Overview
Newly unveiled at CES in January 2017, Biofinity Energys were designed with the digital device user in mind. So, whether you are in front of a computer or looking at your smartphone, these lenses might be an alternative to Biofinity or other lenses. Two technologies - Digital Zone Optics and Aquaform Technology - provide breathability and moisture while optimizing the contact lens experience for today's modern lives.