Disposable, But Green
It’s hard to justify the word “disposable” in the face of the so-called green revolution. Indeed, going through a box of contact lenses in a few months may bother environmentally conscious consumers. Disposable anything tends to run contrary to the image of otters at play in fresh, clean streams. But with the introduction of silicone hydrogels in 1999, contact lenses have become extremely biodegradable. In fact, the use of silicone hydrogels has made it possible to manufacture and market disposable contact lenses.
People with sensitive eyes take heed. Rather than deal with the constant discomfort of contact lenses, people with sensitive eyes are opting for glasses rather than any kind of contact lenses. To be sure, glasses allow a great deal of oxygen to reach your eyes. But with disposable contact lenses, consumers have a comfortable, gas-permeable alternative to standard contacts.
In contrast to conventional lenses, disposable lenses are the most gas-permeable. This is a due to the fact that disposable lenses are much thinner than conventional contacts. This allows more oxygen and moisture to reach the eye. Indeed, though they are extremely comfortable, they are extremely fragile and tear easily if you try to clean them with solution.
Hate to clean contact lenses? The brilliance of disposable lenses is the fact they need no cleaning. None. At the end off the day you simply dispose of them. No fuss, no extra cleaners, no cases needed. You can save on the cost of multi-purpose solutions and enzymatic cleaners. The cost-benefit savings are passed along to the consumer.
And now for the sticker shock. A six-month supply of disposable contact lenses is about 20-40% more expensive than a pair of conventional contacts. In the face of having to pay more, many people opt for the conventional lenses, forgetting to take the cost of all the peripherals into account. At $10 a bottle for solution every two weeks for a year is approximately $260. Add another $10 every two months for enzymatic cleaner and now your grand total is $320. That is roughly $600 in yearly costs for solutions and whatnot. With disposables you simply wear and toss.
