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Contact lenses – Cost, types, and top picks

Contact lenses – Cost, types, and top picks

People looking for ways to correct their vision have quite a few options, contact lenses being one. Contacts ensure you do not have to bear the weight of glasses. You also need not remove them when sleeping. These are thin lenses that sit on top of your cornea. As for popularity, about 45 million people in the country prefer contact lenses over eyeglasses. This guide might help you make an informed decision when choosing contacts.

Cost
Contact lenses do not have a fixed rate. The price varies depending on the prescription, lens type, and from where they are purchased. Other factors influencing the cost include manufacturer rebates, how frequently the lenses are replaced, and discounts for buying a year’s supply at once.

If you are nearsighted and the healthcare expert prescribes a famous brand, a box of six may cost $25 to $40. If you need to replace your lenses every two weeks, you may require about five boxes per eye or about ten boxes per year. Buying larger quantities may cost only about $250 to $400 annually.

Types
Since there are different types of contact lenses, you should consult an eye doctor when purchasing them. The most common types include:

Clear contact lenses, which are soft and transparent and help correct eye vision problems.
Cosmetic options, such as color contact lenses, which are pigmented to change the color of the iris while improving vision.
Toric contact lenses, designed specifically for individuals with astigmatism (available in spherical and cylindrical options).
Extended-wear lenses, which can be worn overnight and left on continuously for about seven days without removal (some are FDA-approved and designed to last up to 30 days of overnight wear).

Popular deals
When purchasing contacts, look for deals from popular manufacturers to save money. The following are a few options you can check out. Ensure to get a prescription from an eye doctor before getting these:

Acuvue Oasys 1-Day (90 pack)
This box of daily lenses costs $88 on the Warby Parker website. You could also get $50 in eyewear credit when you purchase an annual supply. These Acuvue Oasys lenses are suitable for people with dry eyes.

Biofinity XR Toric (6 pack)
The Biofinity XR Toric might be a suitable choice if you are looking for multifocal lenses. You can pick the 6-pack box from the Warby Parker website for about $125, 15% off its original retail price!

Air Optix Night & Day Aqua (6 pack)
These are best for people looking for extended-wear contact lenses. The Air Optix Night & Day Aqua is FDA-approved for daily wear and can be worn continuously for up to 30 nights. You can pick it up from the 1-800 Contacts website for about $83.99 per box after a discount. Customers also get a $20 rebate on buying two boxes each for the left and right eye.

Cost, type, and brand are just three of the many factors to consider when buying contact lenses. Before you purchase them, you must also get a prescription and fitting, which may involve undergoing vision tests and eye measurements. You may also want to pick a suitable contact lens material (soft, gas-permeable, or hybrid) and check with the expert about the best cleaning and disinfection solution for the contacts.