How much do contacts cost?

For many people, affordability is one of the biggest concerns associated with getting contact lenses. The good news is that manufacturers use a wide range of materials, making it possible to find lenses that improve your vision without busting your budget. So, how much do contacts cost? Find out what factors affect the cost of daily disposables, monthly disposables, toric lenses, and multifocal lenses.

Factors affecting contact lens costs

There's no one-size-fits-all lens that works for everyone. As a result, prices vary based on several factors, such as lens type and prescription complexity. Keep these factors in mind as you shop for the perfect pair of contact lenses.

Lens type and material

The type of lens you choose has a big impact on the cost of your contacts. Daily disposables are a little more expensive than the monthly and extended-wear varieties. However, you don't need to soak your contacts in solution every night, so they're less costly to maintain. Monthly contacts last for 30 days, so you don't need to buy as many pairs each year, reducing the overall cost of wearing these lenses.

Extended-wear contacts have the highest initial costs. Although you pay more upfront, you don't have to purchase lenses nearly as often as you do with daily disposables. Additionally, you can wear these lenses overnight, reducing your maintenance costs. That leaves more money for your piggy bank (or Taco Tuesday).

The cost of contacts also depends on the material you choose. Soft contact lenses are made from hydrogels, while gas-permeable (rigid) contacts are made from silicone-containing compounds. Gas-permeable lenses are custom-made for your eyes, so they cost more than soft contacts. The good news is that rigid lenses last longer than soft contact lenses, reducing your overall cost of ownership.

Prescription complexity

Have you ever looked at your contact lens prescription? Unless you have medical training, it might as well be filled with hieroglyphics. OD, OS, PWR, ADD — what does it all mean? Here's an overview of what your prescription includes:

• OD/OS: These abbreviations stand for oculus dexter and oculus sinister. Oooh, sounds mysterious! Don't get too excited, though — these are just the Latin phrases for "right eye" and "left eye." 
• BC: Base curve measures the curve at the back of each lens. The lower the number, the steeper the curve. BC is important because it affects the way a contact lens fits your cornea.
• DIA: Diameter measures the distance from one side of the lens to the other. This measurement affects how each contact rests in your eye, so it's important to be precise.
• PWR: Power (PWR) is the amount of correction needed to improve your vision. If you see a minus sign next to this number, you're nearsighted. A plus sign means that you're farsighted. The farther this number is from zero, the more vision correction you need. For example, someone with a +2 is more farsighted than someone with a +1.
• CYL: If you have astigmatism, an abnormal curve of the lens or cornea, your prescription will have the CYL abbreviation on it. CYL stands for cylindrical power, or how strong a cylindrical lens must be to correct your vision.
• Axis: This tells your eye care professional how much the cylinder power needs to be adjusted based on the unique shape of your cornea.

Prescription complexity affects the size and composition of each lens, which may increase the total cost of your contacts.

Brand and manufacturer

Many factors go into determining the price of your contacts. Manufacturers have to buy materials, pay employees, and cover other expenses. They also invest heavily in research and development, ensuring that customers always have access to the latest technology. After all that, each company needs to produce a profit for its shareholders.

Additional features

You may pay more if you need contacts to treat a specific eye condition. For example, toric lenses have a special shape, making them ideal for people with astigmatism. If you have presbyopia, the nearsightedness that develops as you age, you may need monovision lenses or multifocal lenses. It costs more to make specialized contacts, so manufacturers charge accordingly.

Even if you don't need specialized contacts, you may want to buy lenses with additional features. For example, some manufacturers offer UV protection to prevent the sun's rays from damaging your eyes. Others offer color options, making it possible to change the color of your eyes within just a few seconds. These features cost extra, increasing the price of your contacts.

Types of contact lenses and their costs

As noted previously, the type of contacts you choose has a big impact on how much you pay. Here's what you can expect for each type of lens:

• Daily disposables: Daily disposables are extremely convenient, as you wear them once and then toss them. This eliminates the need to buy a contact case or soak your contacts in lens solution every night. Daily disposables are generally the most expensive option because you’re putting in a fresh, new lens every day.
• Monthly disposable lenses: Monthly disposable lenses are more durable than dailies, and they're also a little better for the environment and your wallet. Instead of throwing away one pair per day, you can wear monthly disposable lenses for up to 30 days at a time.
• Toric and multifocal: Because toric lenses are shaped differently than regular contacts, they correct the vision problems caused by astigmatism.  Multifocal contacts have two or more prescriptions in one lens, so they're ideal for people who need more than one type of vision correction. Since these types of contacts require additional parameters, they’re more complicated to manufacture and the cost reflects that.

Find an affordable pair of contacts

If you need contacts, you have a variety of options. Pricing depends on the type of lens you need, how often you want to change the lenses, and whether you need special features to address your vision problems. When choosing contacts, keep your budget and personal needs in mind. Then visit 1-800 Contacts to find your prescribed brand. We also have a Best-Price Guarantee, free shipping, returns, and no (zero) hidden fees.

Frequently asked questions

How much do contact lenses cost on average? 

It depends on what type of lenses you buy and how frequently you wear them Some cost as little as $15 per month, while others cost $120 per month or more.

What factors affect the cost of contact lenses? 

Many factors affect the cost of contact lenses, including the type of lens you need, the material you choose, and the availability of special features. For example, if you need toric contacts for astigmatism, you can expect to pay a little more for your lenses.

Are more expensive contact lenses better quality? 

Not necessarily. Contact manufacturers must meet strict standards for product quality and safety. Therefore, just because a contact lens is inexpensive doesn't mean it's of a lower quality than an expensive pair of contacts.