If you’re interested in wearing contacts, one of the main choices you and your eye doctor might discuss is hard or soft contact lenses. While most people wear soft contact lenses, there may be reasons for you to consider hard lenses.

We’ll walk through the pros and cons of each and why you might choose one over the other.

‍

What Are Soft Contact Lenses?

Soft contact lenses are made from hydrogels, a thin, flexible plastic that loves water. It’s what keeps them flexible and comfortable to wear. In essence, it’s what makes soft contacts soft!

Some newer soft contact lenses are made from silicone hydrogel. They retain even more moisture, allowing more oxygen to pass through to the eye.  

This soft, flexible quality helps the lens rest comfortably on your eye. For this reason, soft contacts are the most popular type of contact lens. In fact, 90% of contact wearers use soft lenses.

Over time, all contact lenses can accumulate debris and germs on the lens. Buildup can lead to eye infection. That’s why all contacts — soft and hard — need to be thrown out after a set period of time.

Wear Duration of Soft Contact Lenses

Soft contact lenses can be worn for different periods of time (called wear duration) before they need to be replaced with a new pair (called replacement schedule). You and your eye doctor can discuss which type of contact lens is right for you.

• Daily lenses: Also called daily disposables, they are meant to be worn for only one use, usually no more than 14 or 16 hours, and then discarded. The benefit of daily lenses is that they don’t need to be cleaned and stored each night.
  ‍
• Biweekly lenses: Also called biweekly disposables, these lenses can be worn every day for up to two weeks before replacing with a new pair. Weekly lenses must be cleaned and stored each night.
  ‍
• Monthly lenses: These can be worn every day for up to a month before replacing. They also need nightly cleaning and storage.
  ‍
• Extended-wear lenses: Extended-wear lenses can be worn overnight. Some can be worn for up to six days, while others can be worn for up to a month. Then, you need to take at least one night off. However, most eye doctors don’t recommend sleeping in contacts because of the risk of eye infections. Talk to your eye doctor about the pros and cons if you’re interested in extended-wear lenses.

Learn more about daily, biweekly, and monthly contact lenses, including routine care and cost.

Cost of Soft Contact Lenses

Factors affecting cost include: 

• Brands: Some brands are more expensive.
  ‍
• Replacement frequency: The more often you need to replace lenses, the more you’ll need to buy, so the cost goes up.
  ‍
• Vision correction type: Multifocal lenses or lenses for astigmatism typically cost more than lenses for single-vision correction.
  ‍
• Other features: Some contact lenses include features like UV protection or extra moisture-retaining capabilities, which may cost more.

Are Soft Contact Lenses Right For Me?

Most people who wear contact lenses choose soft lenses for comfort and convenience. Because soft lenses come in many wear and replacement options, you have more choices when finding one that fits your needs and lifestyle.

‍

What Are Hard Contact Lenses?

Hard contact lenses are also called rigid gas permeable, or RGP, lenses. They are made from a plastic blend that allows gas (oxygen) to pass through to (or permeate) the eye. They maintain a slightly stiffer shape than soft lenses. This is why they’re called “hard” contact lenses.

Compared to soft lenses, they can feel less comfortable initially and may take longer to get used to. But they’re less likely to tear and can often be used longer than a soft contact lens. They can also offer sharper vision for corrections like keratoconus.

Hard lenses also require a different type of cleaning and storage than soft contact lenses. 

Wear Duration of Hard Contact Lenses

Because they’re made from more durable material, hard lenses can last much longer than soft contact lenses. Some hard lenses can last up to a year or longer — with daily disinfection and storage. Your eye doctor will tell you when your hard lenses need to be replaced.

Cost of Hard Contact Lenses

The cost of hard contact lenses varies greatly depending on your vision needs. Hard contact lenses are typically more expensive than biweekly or monthly soft contact lenses. That’s because hard lenses must be fitted to your specific eye shape and vision needs.

Your eye doctor will order your hard contact lenses for you. (Because they’re so customized, we don’t carry them in our online store.) Your eye doctor may even refer you to another eye care provider who specializes in hard contact lenses.

Are Hard Contact Lenses Right For Me?

Hard contact lenses may be recommended for those with astigmatism. That’s because the contact lens will fit your specific eye shape, including where the astigmatism sits on your eye. They may also be recommended for those with corneal issues, allergies, sensitivity to protein buildup on lenses, or other complex needs.

Bottom line: Your eye doctor will help you understand your contact lens options based on your vision needs. Make sure to schedule your comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor.

[Promotional module]

Once you have your contact lens prescription, shop our soft contacts. We’ve got daily, weekly, or monthly options from top brands like Acuvue, Dailies, Air Optix, and Biofinity.