What is the difference between daily, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly lenses?

The guide regarding wearing lenses over time depends entirely on the type of lenses you ultimately choose.

Your lifestyle and preferences naturally contribute to the lifespan of the lenses, an aspect that you should especially discuss with your doctor when choosing a particular type of lens.

Some replaceable lenses are prescribed for an extended period, say for a period of seven to about 10 days, while other lenses are specifically reserved to be worn for a certain period and then discarded.

The only common factor in wearing lenses is that you must replace them at a specific time and, as a wearer, you must also adhere to this period.

The reason why lenses should be replaced correctly and at the right time is quite simple, namely to avoid infections in the long term.

Disposable lenses are made of very flexible plastic material, which can also tear quickly. Lenses that last longer are stronger and also durable here. If you wear your lenses longer than the period prescribed by the manufacturer or doctor, this can cause problems.

It is therefore of the utmost importance that you replace your lenses at the correct time. You must therefore ensure a system where you enter the replacement date of your lenses on your calendar or your personal (digital) agenda, and that you also build in a warning that gives a notification about a week before the moment you should remove and replace the lenses with new ones.

Maintaining and disinfecting lenses that are used for a longer period must be closely monitored, whereas daily disposable lenses do not require extra maintenance because they are simply thrown away at the end of the day and replaced with new lenses.

An advantage of replaceable lenses is that you always have a new pair on hand, ideal when you can't find one or when they are damaged in some way.

Below we will give a number of definitions and descriptions regarding the different types of lenses that are currently available on the market. We hope that in this way we can dispel a number of misunderstandings and have clearly described the current facts.

Of course, the cost will also play a role when you want to make a decision regarding the right type of lenses you can wear.

1. Daily disposable contact lenses (i.e. on a daily basis)

The absolute majority of soft lenses are available in the form of a disposable lens. The logical consequence is that you will apply a new pair of these lenses every day, but in practice this is not always the case. The majority of soft lens wearers opt for these daily disposable lenses.

The reason is simple: they are easy to adjust, easy to wear and they are also soft. You must of course take into account that these lenses can only be used once and must be thrown away every evening.

Another important and not to be underestimated advantage of daily replaceable lenses is that you do not have to clean or maintain them, and that they are also sterile time and time again when you take them out of the package, provided that they have not yet been used.

This type of lens is available in multiple tints and you can also use them very well when you are an active person who often does sports. Compared to rigid or hard lenses, you can't really do much wrong in this regard.

Daily replaceable lenses are also a good option when you plan to wear contact lenses during certain activities or, for example, only during the weekend.

Also important and an advantage: it can sometimes be difficult to remember when to replace 2-weekly or monthly lenses when you only wear them for a certain period.

2. Lenses for longer use (seven to about 30 days)

Extended Wear lenses have been introduced but are still termed ‘disposable’, although they are intended for multiple day use.

Lenses for longer use, despite the fact that they can be worn longer than daily lenses, still belong to the disposable lenses, even though they are intended to be worn for several days or weeks.

You can wear lenses for longer use continuously, this for the prescribed period and then you just have to throw them away.

This can range from a period of seven to approximately 30 days, depending on the intended use, and for this you must of course follow the prescribed date of the manufacturer to the letter. People who want to wear their lenses at night will certainly find what they are looking for with this type of lens.

These lenses require little or no maintenance and are available in multiple tints and also in bifocal variations. If you follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter, there will be little or no risk of infection.

Contact lenses intended to be worn for 30 days will minimize all possible problems and irritations, and it is so that wearers of these lenses will often forget that they also have lenses in their eyes.

Previously, these lenses had a greater risk of infection, but in the meantime, these lenses for longer use are made of silicone hydrogel with a high permeability of oxygen, which allows the eye to allow more oxygen to flow through and thus to stay healthier.

In any case, you should keep in mind that lenses for a period of 30 days are not suitable for every user. If you are interested in this regard, you should definitely discuss this with your eye specialist.

3. Lenses for use of a period of two weeks, or monthly

Most soft contact lenses are planned for replacement on a period of two weeks or monthly in consultation with the doctor.

This type of lens requires simple maintenance while wearing and is removed before going to sleep. This type of lens is good for the health of your eye and is also readily available on prescription.

4. Lenses for use of a period on a quarterly basis

This type of lens is not just prescribed by the doctor. Because they are replaced less often, they are also less comfortable to wear, let less oxygen through and will also be a faster breeding ground for infections.

5.Gas permeable lenses (RGP)

These types of lenses are stronger than the common soft lenses. And even though they are still made of plastic, they have a solid structure and will last longer.

They have a relatively long lifespan and are usually replaced during the annual check-up with your eye specialist, even though the lifespan is usually around 2 years.

The advantage of these lenses is that the harder finish ensures a better alignment of the cornea and also leads to better results of your field of vision.

This type of lens will improve some of the most common vision problems, unlike soft contact lenses. Another advantage is that you can apply this type of lens more easily in your eyes and can also be made in bifocal lenses.

They are also easier to clean, but you can under no circumstances keep them in your eyes at night!