5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (2023)

What Are Extended Wear Contacts?

Extended wear contacts are a relatively new and popular type of contact lens. They may also be referred to as continuous wear contact lenses).

These lenses differ from daily, weekly, and monthly contact lenses, which must be taken out before going to bed.Extended wear contacts let people wear soft contact lenses overnight or for many days.

These contacts can last from one to six days, or even up to 30 days. Continuous wear will range according to your eye care professional’s recommendations and the product itself.

Be sure to consult your eye doctor before sleeping in any contact lenses.

Everything We Recommend
Best Overall Air Optix Night & Day Aqua
Runner Up Biofinity Monthly
Best Weekly Lenses Acuvue 2
Best for Astigmatism AIR OPTIX for Astigmatism
Best Multifocal Lenses Bausch + Lomb PureVision 2 Multi-Focal

Where to Buy Glasses + Contacts

Best Overall: Warby Parker

Fastest Delivery: EyeBuyDirect

Also Great: Liingo

Best Place to Buy Contacts: 1800 Contacts

5 Best Extended Wear Contacts

Here are 5 of the best extended wear contact brands:

Best Overall: Air Optix Night & Day Aqua

5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (1)

Air Optix Night & Day Aqua contact lenses are FDA-approved for daily wear and up to 30 nights of continuous wear*. This allows you to create a flexible wear schedule that can adapt to any busy lifestyle. They also allow more oxygen flow than any other soft contact lens.

Lens Features:

  • Flexible wearing schedule
  • FDA-approved for daily wear and up to 30 nights of continuous wear
  • Material: 76% lotrafilcon A; 24% water
  • Manufacturer: Alcon

*Important Safety Information: Not all patients can wear the lenses for extended wear. Approximately 80% of patients are able to wear the contacts during the day and at night. Always follow the eye care professional’s recommended lens wear, care and replacement schedule. Overnight wear of contact lenses has been shown to increase the risk of certain serious contact lens–related complications.See more AIR OPTIX Safety Information.

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Runner Up: Biofinity Monthly

5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (2)

Biofinity monthly lenses use exclusive Aquaform® Technology developed by CooperVision. These silicone hydrogel monthlies are approved for extended wear. This means that you can wear them for 6 nights/7 days of continuous wear.

Lens Features:

  • Aquaform® Technology
  • Extended wear (if recommended by your doctor)
  • Material: 52% comfilcon A; 48% water
  • Manufacturer: CooperVision

Best Weekly Lenses: Acuvue 2

5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (3)

Johnson & Johnson offers two-week daily wear (or one-week extended wear) for those seeking comfort and clear vision. Its INFINITY EDGE™ Design allows the lens to fit the eye more precisely. This type of soft lens wear also protects the eye from UV radiation with Class 2 UV Blocking properties.

Lens Features:

  • INFINITY EDGE™ Design fits your eye and provides a soft lens wear feeling
  • UV Protection
  • Material: 42% etafilcon A; 58% water
  • Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson

Best for Astigmatism: AIR OPTIX for Astigmatism

5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (4)

AIR OPTIX for Astigmatism contacts can only be worn for extended wear (24 hours, including while you sleep) if directed by your eye doctor.

Lens Features:

  • Flexible and customizable wearing schedule
  • PRECISION BALANCE 8|4® Lens Design to keep lenses from rotating
  • Material: 67% lotrafilcon B; 33% water
  • Manufacturer: Alcon
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*Important Safety Information: Not all patients can wear the lenses for extended wear. Approximately 80% of patients are able to wear the contacts during the day and at night. Always follow the eye care professional’s recommended lens wear, care and replacement schedule. Overnight wear of contact lenses has been shown to increase the risk of certain serious contact lens–related complications. See more AIR OPTIX Safety Information.

Best Multifocal Lenses: Bausch + Lomb PureVision 2 Multi-Focal

5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (5)

PureVision2 Multi-Focal For Presbyopia are visibility tinted contact lenses. They are approved for daily wear or extended wear from 1 to 30 days.

Lens Features:

  • 3-Zone Progressive Design
  • Approved for extended wear up to 30 days if approved by your eye doctor
  • Material: balafilcon A 64%; 36% water
  • Manufacturer: Bausch + Lomb

Who Should Use Extended Wear Contact Lenses?

Disposable extended-wear offers a convenient option for contact lens patients.10 It can help correct the following:

  • Nearsightedness (myopia)
  • Farsightedness (hyperopia)
  • Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness)
  • Astigmatism

Remember that not everyone is a good candidate for continuous wear lenses. Only a qualified eye doctor can tell you if you are eligible to wear these contact lenses.

Benefits of Extended Wear Contact Lenses

Extended wear contact lenses can offer many advantages to those who use contacts.

These benefits include:

  • FDA-approved for up to 30 days in some cases.
  • No need for removal for up to 6 nights.
  • Little or no cleaning in extended-wear disposable contacts.
  • Availability in tints and bifocals.
  • Increased flow of oxygen to the cornea for ensured comfort and less irritability.
  • Vision correction that is equal to glasses or standard contact lenses.

Risks & Complications of Extended Wear Contacts

Your should consult an eye care specialist before using extended wear contacts. They can increase the risk of infection and serious eye health conditions.

Some of the complications are as follows:

Keratitis

Keratitis is a type of inflammation that can be caused by an infection from wearing contact lenses. The cornea (the clear, outer layer of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber) becomes inflamed or swollen.

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Those who suffer from the condition will experience difficulties with their vision. In more severe cases, keratitis can result in blindness or the need for a corneal transplant.

Corneal neovascularization

Corneal neovascularization occurs when new blood vessels invade the cornea due to inflammation or hypoxia.

In less severe cases, there may be persistent inflammation and scarring that affect corneal transparency and vision.

In more advanced stages, individuals may permanently lose their vision. For those with corneal grafts, corneal neovascularization may result in rejection.

Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Pink eye is when the conjunctiva gets infected. The tiny blood vessels in the membrane swell and create the reddish or pink appearance in the sclera.

Corneal ulcers

These are a type of infection that is commonly associated with contact lens use.

Alternatives to Extended Wear Contacts

Since not everyone can safely wear extended wear contact lenses, it’s best to discuss your options with your eye doctor. Your doctor may recommend other types of vision correction options.

Here are some alternatives to extended wear contacts:

Daily wear contacts

Daily wear contacts are ideal for those who maintain active lifestyles and don't have a tolerance for overnight wear. Daily wear contacts have less risk of developing eye conditions. However, they do wear out and must be replaced more frequently.

Monthly Contact Lenses

If you prefer taking your contacts out every night, monthly contact lenses could be right for you. These contact lenses are designed to last one month at a time. Monthlies are usually made from silicone hydrogen materials and allow more oxygen to reach the eyes.

Glasses

Glasses are worn daily and provide excellent vision with minimal risks of developing eye problems. The lenses bend and manipulate light as it enters your eye. This allows them to correct refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.

Laser Surgery

Laser surgery is another option for people who cannot tolerate contact lenses. It involves reshaping the surface of the cornea using laser technology. This procedure has been shown to improve vision and reduce dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses.

In this article

Best Places to Buy Contacts

Best Overall
5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (6)

1-800 Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online.

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Also Great
5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (7)

GlassesUSA has a huge selection of contacts, glasses, & sunglasses.

Best Places to Buy Glasses

Best Overall
5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (8)

Warby Parker has stylish, high-quality frames at affordable prices.

Also Great
5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (9)

Liingo Eyewear is another great option to buy glasses online.

Best on a Budget
5 Best Extended Wear Contact Lenses of 2023 (10)

EyeBuyDirect has a wide variety of budget frames starting at $6.

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FAQs

Which brand of contacts are the most durable? ›

Best Contact Lens Brands
  • Acuvue. The Acuvue® brand is among the most highly recommended and top-selling contact lens brands. ...
  • Dailies. The DAILIES® brand is another top contact lens brand worth looking into when deciding on the right lens. ...
  • Air Optix. ...
  • Biofinity. ...
  • SofLens.
Jul 18, 2022

What is the latest technology in contact lenses? ›

TOTAL30 (Alcon): A monthly replacement lens launched in August 2021, this lens is made of lehfilcon A, has a Dk/T of 154, and uses water gradient technology to ensure patients are still comfortable wearing the lenses at the end of the 30 days.

Which is the No 1 contact lenses in the world? ›

Acuvue is the most trusted eye lens brand that is recommended by many eye care professionals. These lenses are made of silicone hydrogel, which is a material that is highly breathable and provides great comfort. Acuvue Oasys also features a surface treatment that helps to provide additional comfort and lubrication.

Which is the number one lens company? ›

1. Bausch and Lomb. Being the top choice for contact lenses of every type, such as toric lenses, colour disposable lenses, bifocal lenses, or daily/monthly/yearly disposable lenses, Bausch and Lomb's journey of innovating hydrogel-based contact lenses is exemplary.

Is there a difference between cheap and expensive contact lenses? ›

The Contrast and Clarity of an image is what most people will notice right away when comparing a cheap lens to a higher-end lens. Typically the expensive lenses have better coatings both internally and externally. Coatings do a few things, they help reduce light scatter and this can actually help light transmittance.

Which is better Acuvue or dailies? ›

ACUVUE OASYS® 1-DAY trumps with the ability to let a high level of oxygen pass through the lens to the eye, while DAILIES AquaComfort Plus impresses with a high amount of water stored in the material. So it's down to breathability versus wettability and for most patients, one of the two factors is more critical.

Which contact lens has more oxygen? ›

That's why it's important to know that silicone hydrogel lens material allows higher levels of oxygen to flow through the lens to your eyes than hydrogel. In fact, silicone hydrogel lens material allows almost as much oxygen to reach your eyes as if you weren't wearing contact lenses at all.

Are there contact lenses that don't expire? ›

Gas Permeable Contact Lens Packaging

Therefore, gas permeable contacts typically don't require an expiration date. The expiration date on your contact lens prescription is the last date that your eye doctor has authorized you to purchase new contacts with the prescription.

Is Biofinity better than Acuvue? ›

The significant difference between the two lenses is that Biofinity is a monthly disposable and Acuvue Oasys is a two-weekly disposable. So, while Biofinity has a higher water content and allows more oxygen to pass through the lens, Acuvue Oasys can be considered a healthier lens to wear.

Does it matter which brand of contact lenses? ›

Different brands of contact lenses are made from different materials, and just because another brand has a similar base curve and diameter does not mean it will fit the same. Wearing the exact brand that you have been prescribed will help prevent medical problems and allergic reactions to the different materials used.

What is the longest wearing contact lens? ›

There is a revolutionary breakthrough in soft contact lenses. Air Optix NIGHT & DAY are the contact lenses you can wear continuously for up to 30 nights and days: Breathes 5-6x better than ordinary soft contacts for better eye health. No daily inserting, removing or cleaning of contacts.

What are the longest wearing contacts? ›

Also called "extended wear lenses" or "monthly contact lenses," continuous wear lenses are soft contact lenses that are approved by the FDA for up to 30 consecutive days of continuous day-and-night wear without removal. Like LASIK, extended wear contact lenses offer hassle-free good vision.

Do smart contact lenses exist? ›

Currently, the Mojo smart contact lens boasts: a 14,000 pixels per inch MicroLED display, the world's smallest at just . 5 millimeters in diameter, and densest with a pixel-pitch of just 1.8 microns, the company says)

What lens company does Costco use? ›

Costco's Kirkland Signature daily disposable contact lenses are made by CooperVision. The Costco lenses are the same as CooperVision's MyDay lenses.

What brand are Costco lenses? ›

Our Kirkland Signature HD progressive lenses use the latest in lens manufacturing technology to deliver high definition vision at any distance. With sharper vision in all conditions members purchasing Kirkland Signature HD lenses will receive an unprecedented degree of customization.

What brand of lenses does Walmart use? ›

Eyeglass Lens Replacement Walmart | We use Essilor prescription lenses, the best brand for the sharpest vision.

How much should I spend on contact lenses? ›

The cost of contact lenses can vary, but the average cost for an annual supply of contacts, if you're nearsighted, should be between around $200 and $300. If you need to replace your contacts throughout the year, plan to purchase around sic to 10 boxes total, with a cost of around $20 to $30 for each box.

Are premium lenses worth it? ›

Most people agree that premium lenses are worth the extra investment and resources, especially when factoring in the cost of glasses and contacts.

Are Costco glasses cheaper than Walmart? ›

Costco charges $130 for high-definition progressive lenses, which, as with all Costco lenses, include an anti-reflective coating. That's about half what you'd pay at many walk-in stores. But if you need basic, plastic single-vision lenses, you can pay as little as $29 at Walmart, about half as much as at Costco.

Is Acuvue Oasys the best? ›

ACUVUE OASYS® contact lenses are among the best contact brands for many contact wearers! The FDA has approved these contacts for extended wear of six consecutive nights. An extended wear lens provides patients with contact lenses to fit their specific type of wear schedule.

Are monthlies or dailies better? ›

People with dailies don't have to worry about cleaning the lenses because you just throw them away each night and put in a new pair each morning. However, a monthly lens may work better for people who find solace in a daily cleaning routine or those who don't want to keep a large stock of contacts on hand.

Why are dailies better than monthlies? ›

Daily disposables are considered the healthiest choice because there is no day-to-day build-up of deposits. They come ready to insert in individual, sterilised blister packs for one-time use. Dailies are ideal for anyone susceptible to seasonal allergies because they minimise pollen build up.

What is the most breathable contact? ›

Most Breathable Daily Contacts: 1-Day Acuvue TruEye

This material lets the most oxygen through the lens, providing maximum breathability.

Which is more safe contact lenses or glasses? ›

Contacts carry more risk than glasses

Almost all complications are due to poor hygiene and maintenance, but the fact remains that contact lenses do carry more risk than eyeglasses. Oversights in lens care can cause irritation, conjunctivitis, dry eye syndrome, and other uncomfortable eye problems.

Why can I see so much better with contacts than glasses? ›

They produce a more “natural” field of vision.

Because they sit on the surface of your eyes and move with them, contact lenses provide seamless vision correction. Their benefits extend to your peripheral vision and they won't have the same types of visual disruptions that glasses do, such as reflections or fogginess.

Can you be too old for contact lenses? ›

Contact lenses are one of many options for correcting vision, but are they a good solution for older adults? They can be. With guidance from an eye doctor, many adults over 60 successfully wear contacts.

Should I throw away expired contact lenses? ›

Eye care experts strongly suggest using contacts before their expiration dates. Even unopened contacts that have expired can get a buildup of deposits on them and are no longer safe to wear.

What happens if you leave your contacts in for years? ›

Risks of wearing contacts too long

Corneal ulcers (infectious keratitis): An open sore in the outer layer of the cornea. Hypoxia: A lack of oxygen that can lead to abnormal blood vessel growth into the cornea. Damage to corneal stem cells needed to keep the cornea clear for good vision.

Which is better Air Optix or Biofinity? ›

Biofinity has a higher oxygen permeability than Air Optix Aqua. In addition to this, it caters for a wider prescription range with Biofinity XR and therefore could be considered a better lens for these reasons. They both fall within a similar price range but with Biofinity also being slightly cheaper than Air Optix.

Which is better Biofinity or ultra? ›

Bausch & Lomb Ultra is a great contact lens choice, as is Biofinity Energys. They both provide optimal comfort at an affordable price. When deciding which is better, this comes down to personal preference and which is best suited to your eyes and lifestyle.

Is Acuvue Oasys being discontinued? ›

Effective as of October 3rd, 2022, diagnostic (trial) lenses for the impacted parameters will no longer be available. Boxes in these prescriptions can be purchased as supplies last. Effective January 2, 2023 these impacted parameters will no longer be available for purchase.

Is there a difference in quality of contact lenses? ›

Contact lenses may seem like they are the same - simple pieces of plastic that correct your vision. However, there are several differences that can play a key role in the fitting your unique eyes. Different brands make contact lenses that vary in everything from material to shape to recommended replacement schedule.

What should I look for when buying contact lenses? ›

How to buy contact lenses online
  • Get an eye exam. ...
  • Check your contact lens prescription. ...
  • Be aware contacts and glasses prescriptions are different. ...
  • Stick to the prescribed brand. ...
  • Shop around. ...
  • Ensure you always have contacts and lens care supplies. ...
  • Check out the seller's reputation. ...
  • Beware of online eye exams.
Feb 27, 2019

Is it cheaper to order lenses online? ›

Fact: Ordering contacts through your eye doctor is actually cheaper in many cases. As mentioned, your local eye doctor will actually tend to offer better rates than online providers.

What contacts last 30 days? ›

AIR OPTIX ® NIGHT & DAY ® AQUA contact lenses. They are FDA-approved for up to 30 days and nights of continuous wear and are the most breathable* soft contact lenses available.

Can you wear contacts for 11 hours? ›

Your optician will be able to discuss with you what is best in your individual case, but as a general point, it's recommended that you wear your contact lenses for a maximum of 10-12 hours per day. Wearing your lenses for longer may cause your eyes to become uncomfortable, red and prone to infection.

Which contact lens brand is the best? ›

TOP LENS BRANDS:
  • Acuvue.
  • Air Optix.
  • Avaira.
  • Biofinity.
  • Biomedics.
  • Biotrue.
  • Clariti.
  • Crystal.

Whats the longest you can wear a pair of monthly contacts for? ›

How long do monthly contacts last? Recommended maximum wear time for monthly lenses is 30 days. Monthly lenses are the one of oldest modalities of contact lenses and are some of the most popular. They are especially helpful for those looking to spend less on their contacts each year.

Is Air Optix HydraGlyde extended wear? ›

The AIR OPTIX® plus HydraGlyde® contact lenses are monthly replacement lenses, which means these lenses should be replaced once a month with a fresh pair. AIR OPTIX® plus HydraGlyde® contact lenses are indicated for daily wear or extended wear for up to 6 nights.

How much will Mojo lens cost? ›

Mojo Lens Price

The company also notes that anyone using standard prescription lenses already spends $500 to $900 on them every year. So $1,500 for two AR-powered contact lenses that also correct your vision is a good deal.

Is there a permanent eye contact lens? ›

What Are Permanent Contact Lenses? This type of contact lens is typically called a Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer® Lens), which many people simply call an implantable contact lens or just ICL. The ICL is made from biocompatible materials, including collagen.

Are more expensive contacts better? ›

Expensive contacts aren't necessarily better, though some more expensive options may provide features you need that are worth the extra cost.

Are dailies or monthlies better? ›

Monthly lenses are more cost-effective than dailies if you wear contacts every day. It's also ideal for people who switch between glasses and contacts multiple times a day. You can clean and place them back again when needed, unlike with disposable lenses that must be discarded after use.

Do contacts damage your eyes more than glasses? ›

Though they might be more convenient than glasses, wearing contacts comes with serious risks. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), wearing contact lenses increases the risk of developing eye infections, corneal ulcers, and other eye-related health conditions.

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