March 2007
Lens lingo
Contacts may differ in their flexibility and pattern of wear, which can affect safety, cost, comfort, and convenience. The
costs for the major categories, listed below, are based on prices at 800-Contacts, an online outlet. They do not include solution
costs, which can be hundreds of dollars a year in some cases, or special features, such as UV coating. Shipping is free for
orders over $50.
FLEXIBILITY FACTOR
Soft lenses. Made of highly flexible plastic, including hydrogel and newer silicone-hydrogel, which lets more oxygen reach the eye. They’re the top-selling type and are used as daily disposables, extended-wear lenses, or planned replacements (see below).
Rigid gas-permeables. Minimally flexible plastic contacts, which are less comfortable initially than soft lenses. Worn by only about 10 to 13 percent of users, they’re typically used for a year or more, usually during the day but sometimes around the clock for extended periods. They may pose less risk of eye infection than soft lenses do.
WEARING SCHEDULE
Daily disposables. Lenses that you remove before sleep and discard. They’re probably less likely than other soft lenses to cause eye infections. Annual cost: about $320 to $545.
Extended wear. Lenses that you wear continuously for 7 to 30 days, then replace. They may pose higher risks than the other types because wearing lenses overnight reduces oxygen flow to the cornea; that can damage its surface and, in turn, possibly increase the chance of microbial growth. Annual cost: $120 to $240.
Planned replacements. Contacts that are removed each night and usually replaced after 1 to 12 weeks. They’re probably riskier than daily disposables, but safer than extended wear. Annual cost: $80 to $130.
SPECIAL PURPOSES
Multifocals. Contacts that correct for poor close-up and distance vision. Annual cost: $220 to $800.
Toric lenses. Contacts designed to correct astigmatism (distorted vision caused by abnormal curvature of the cornea). Annual cost: $180 to $520.
FLEXIBILITY FACTOR
Soft lenses. Made of highly flexible plastic, including hydrogel and newer silicone-hydrogel, which lets more oxygen reach the eye. They’re the top-selling type and are used as daily disposables, extended-wear lenses, or planned replacements (see below).
Rigid gas-permeables. Minimally flexible plastic contacts, which are less comfortable initially than soft lenses. Worn by only about 10 to 13 percent of users, they’re typically used for a year or more, usually during the day but sometimes around the clock for extended periods. They may pose less risk of eye infection than soft lenses do.
WEARING SCHEDULE
Daily disposables. Lenses that you remove before sleep and discard. They’re probably less likely than other soft lenses to cause eye infections. Annual cost: about $320 to $545.
Extended wear. Lenses that you wear continuously for 7 to 30 days, then replace. They may pose higher risks than the other types because wearing lenses overnight reduces oxygen flow to the cornea; that can damage its surface and, in turn, possibly increase the chance of microbial growth. Annual cost: $120 to $240.
Planned replacements. Contacts that are removed each night and usually replaced after 1 to 12 weeks. They’re probably riskier than daily disposables, but safer than extended wear. Annual cost: $80 to $130.
SPECIAL PURPOSES
Multifocals. Contacts that correct for poor close-up and distance vision. Annual cost: $220 to $800.
Toric lenses. Contacts designed to correct astigmatism (distorted vision caused by abnormal curvature of the cornea). Annual cost: $180 to $520.
