Different Types of Contact Lenses: Which Is Right for You?

If you wear contacts, you're in good company: More than 45 million people wear them in the U.S. alone, 75% of whom are over 25 years old.¹ Sure, all contact lenses work to help you see the world more clearly. But a few different types of contact lenses offer unique vision correction and comfort benefits.

Whether you're considering contacts for the first time or want to try something new, it's good to know more about your contact lens options. Here's a brief overview.

What Are Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are clear plastic discs that you wear directly in your eyes. They sit right over your cornea, floating on your tear film. You wear them daily and remove them after wearing to clean and store them overnight.²

Contact lenses improve your vision in the same way that eyeglasses do. Once in your eye, the lenses redirect the light that comes through them to hit your retina and properly focus your vision, helping you see more clearly. Their power is measured in diopters, which are positive for farsightedness and negative for nearsightedness.³

What do contact lenses treat?

Contact lenses treat a variety of vision problems and refractive errors, including:²

• Myopia or nearsightedness
• Hyperopia or farsightedness
• Astigmatism or blurriness at all distances

Comparing Different Types of Contact Lenses

You'll find several types of contact lenses available to buy in your doctor's office and through online retailers. While you dispose of some types daily, you change others weekly or yearly. The cost of contact lenses varies by type.

Hard contact lenses

Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses are the most widely worn type of hard contact lens because they offer a good combination of effectiveness and durability. An amalgam of plastic and other biocompatible materials, RGP styles are firm, with a breathable lens that allows oxygen into the eye, making it a good choice for people with dry eyes.²

Hard contact lenses are helpful for patients with astigmatism and other curved cornea issues like keratoconus, since they typically provide sharper vision than soft contact lenses.² They are usually cheaper than soft contact lenses but do require a more complex cleaning process.⁴ Some hard contact lenses can be worn overnight.⁵

The average cost of RGP lenses can range between $150 and $650 per pair, which are changed yearly.⁶ Prices vary based on your prescription.

Soft contact lenses

Soft contact lenses are the most popular type of contacts, with the majority of contact lens wearers choosing them for both comfort and ease of use.²

• Daily wear soft contact lenses are a popular choice for their comfort and low maintenance. These lenses are typically worn during the day and removed at night, and can be made to last from 24 hours to several months.² They're also a good option for people who need lenses only on occasion. The average cost for daily wear soft contact lenses ranges from $50 to $760, depending on whether you choose daily, bi-monthly, monthly or yearly disposable lenses.⁶
• Extended wear soft contact lenses are usually worn overnight and don't require you to remove them as often as daily wear — maybe once a week.² But they do tend to pose a higher risk of eye infection. Extended wear lenses range from $90 to $520 per year.⁵
• Toric lenses are a type of soft contact lens that corrects astigmatism. They come in daily or extended wear versions, and tend to be a little more expensive and less effective than hard contacts.² The average cost for toric lenses can range from $180 to $680 yearly, depending on the specific type of lenses you choose.⁵
• Colored and tinted lenses enhance vision while altering the appearance of your eye color. Make sure any colored or tinted lenses you buy are FDA-approved. Avoid retailers that don't require prescriptions. The average cost for colored or tinted lenses can range from $500 to $1,000 annually.⁵

Specialty contact lenses

• Hybrid contact lenses offer the best of both soft and hard contact lenses, with a rigid gas permeable center nestled in a soft outer ring. Hybrid contact lenses are considered more comfortable than hard contact lenses and are primarily made for those with irregular corneas.⁴ The average cost of hybrid contact lenses can range from $1,000 to $2,000 per year.⁶
• Multifocal and bifocal contacts provide vision correction for loss of both distance and near vision. Multifocal contact lenses improve far-away, intermediate and near vision using three built-in focal points, while bifocal lenses improve far and near vision via two separate focal points.⁷ The average cost of multifocal and bifocal contacts can range from $140 to $600, depending on how often they are disposed of.⁵
• Scleral lenses are designed to improve vision for people with irregular or distorted corneas. They're typically larger in size than other lenses and extend into the sclera, the white space of the eye. The average cost for scleral lenses can range from $500 to $4,000 per lens.⁸
• Decorative contact lenses change the look of your eyes and may or may not provide visual correction as well. Decorative contact lenses can run between $100 and $400 per pair and are typically not used daily.⁵

Average Cost of Contact Lenses

Consult With an Eye Doctor

When searching for contact lens options, be sure to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor for guidance, to ensure a good fit and to get instructions on lens cleaning, storage and maintenance.

CareCredit Financing for Contact Lenses

Whether you're purchasing stylish new frames, getting contacts, or due for an eye exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for care where your insurance leaves off.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit so you can see all that life has to offer. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Susan Paretts is a freelance writer with 18 years of experience covering health and wellness, pet care, and more. Her work has been published by the American Kennel Club, Bayer Animal Health, Elanco, LIVESTRONG.com, The San Francisco Chronicle, Chewy, and more.