Dispose of Rather Than Clean
Disposable contacts give people pause. The unfortunate perception is that disposable lenses are somehow wasteful or irresponsible, indeed the term “disposable” is not one that most consumers are comfortable with. The fact of the matter is, however, that disposable lenses are highly biodegradable and inexpensive to manufacture. Indeed the carbon footprint involved in producing and distilling cleaning solutions are far larger than those involved with disposable contact lenses.
Typically thinner and more fragile than conventional soft contact lenses, disposable contacts are actually far more comfortable than their conventional cousins. Their thinness and fragility also make them very comfortable to wear. They are the most gas-permeable lenses on the market today. Contact wearers who suffer from dry or frequently irritated eyes are encouraged to look into disposable lenses — no pun intended.
People may be put off by the up-front cost of a six month supply of disposable lenses. Though disposable contacts are more expensive, that cost is offset by the fact that no cleaning solutions or enzymatic cleaners are necessary. They are disposable and are not meant to be worn more than one day. They require no maintenance or storage. This is a very attractive aspect of disposable lenses: their convenience.
Though sleeping requires performing a nightly cleaning ritual for conventional contacts, there is no such hullabaloo for disposables. An inherent advantage of disposable contacts is the fact their thinness allows them to be worn overnight. Though no optometrist would ever recommend sleeping with a pair of contacts on, disposable contacts are the least likely to cause infections. Indeed the protein buildup is inconsequential as the lenses are destined for the trash bin.
You would not want disposable lenses if you only had one pair of contact lenses and you needed them to last for months, or even a year. But, if you suffer from sensitive eyes and hate having to perform the daily cleaning ritual contacts require, then disposable lenses should be a definite consideration. They are more cost effective, comfortable, and leave a smaller carbon footprint to manufacture.
