Did you know that many high street opticians rebrand lenses from other manufacturers using their own packaging? They do this so you’ll come back to them, recognizing their unique brand and packaging. Don’t be misled by this; most contact lenses come from the same few manufacturers and can often be bought online at lower prices than those on the high street.
Sometimes, opticians can be reluctant to tell you the actual brand of lenses you’re wearing, making it hard to buy them elsewhere. Always remember, never purchase a brand of lenses that hasn’t been prescribed by your optician. Thankfully, some online retailers, like SameDayLenses, offer a conversion table to help you identify the manufacturer of your lenses.
### Types of Lenses
There are various brands, materials, and types of contact lenses. Hard lenses, durable for over a month, are rarely prescribed unless you have a very unique or strong prescription. Soft lenses are more popular due to their comfort. If you’re unhappy with the lenses you’ve been prescribed, your optician has access to trial lenses from all major UK manufacturers and can usually find a comfortable option for you.
### Length of Wear
Consider how often and how long you wear your contact lenses when deciding their suitability. Many people opt for monthly lenses because they are more cost-effective than daily disposables. However, depending on your lifestyle, daily lenses might be better – they’re great for playing sports or going on holiday.
### Price
Price is another important factor. Daily contact lenses like Ciba Vision’s Focus Daily or Aqua Comfort Plus offer good value and quality, especially when bought in packs of 90. However, some daily lens brands can cost up to £50 per month.
If you don’t wear contact lenses every day, daily disposables can be more hygienic and often end up being cheaper overall than monthly lenses, which have to be discarded after 30 days even if worn only once.