Pull a fresh pair from the case on the first of the month. Toss the old ones. Repeat twelve times a year. That’s the theory of monthly contact lenses — and it works beautifully when people actually follow it. The trouble is, a lot of wearers stretch pairs to 45 days, 60 days, sometimes longer. That’s where the cost savings evaporate, and the health risks start.
Monthly contacts are the most affordable daily-wear option for full-time wearers. But “affordable” and “safe” are only true when you replace on schedule.
What Boxes and Annual Supplies Actually Cost
A standard box of monthly lenses contains 6 lenses — that’s a 3-month supply for one eye. Full-time wearers need 4 boxes per eye, or 8 boxes total each year.
| Brand | Box (6 lenses) | Annual (8 boxes) | With Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Optix plus HydraGlyde | $40–$55 | $320–$440 | $420–$640 |
| Biofinity | $35–$50 | $280–$400 | $380–$600 |
| Acuvue Vita | $38–$52 | $304–$416 | $404–$616 |
| PureVision 2 | $30–$45 | $240–$360 | $340–$560 |
| Bausch + Lomb Ultra | $38–$52 | $304–$416 | $404–$616 |
Solution isn’t a rounding error. A 12-oz bottle of multipurpose solution (Biotrue, Opti-Free, ReNu) costs $8–$15 and lasts roughly 6–8 weeks. Annual solution runs $80–$160 for most wearers. Hydrogen peroxide systems (Clear Care, AOSept) cost slightly more at $100–$200/year, but they do a better job for people who experience dryness or sensitivity — particularly worth it if you wear lenses for 10+ hours a day.
The 30-Day Rule — And Why People Ignore It
“Monthly” means 30 calendar days from the day you first open the package. Not 30 days of actual wearing time — calendar days. Open a pair on November 5th? They come out November 4th at the latest, regardless of how many hours you actually wore them.
Most wearers know this and stretch lenses anyway. The rationalization: “I barely wore them this month.” The AOA and AAO both flag overwearing as one of the leading causes of contact lens-related corneal infections in the US. Protein and lipid deposits build up on lens surfaces over time, creating conditions where bacteria thrive. A corneal ulcer from a contaminated contact lens costs $500–$3,000 to treat and can leave permanent scarring.
Stretching monthly lenses beyond 30 days doesn’t save money if it puts you at risk for a corneal infection. If you’re regularly wearing lenses past schedule, set a phone reminder on the first of every month — or switch to daily lenses, which eliminate the replacement schedule problem entirely at the cost of a higher annual spend.
Monthly vs. Daily Contacts: The Honest Cost Comparison
For full-time wearers, the financial case for monthly lenses is clear. For part-time wearers, the math actually flips.
Monthly lenses (full-time wear): $300–$600 all-in with solution Daily disposables (full-time wear): $900–$1,200 for lenses alone
The difference is typically $400–$700/year in favor of monthlies for everyday wearers. For part-time wearers (3–4 days/week), dailies can actually be the better value — see our daily contacts cost guide for the math on that.
Getting the Most From Insurance and Rebates
Most vision insurance plans offer a $130–$175 annual contact lens allowance. A year’s supply of monthly lenses ($280–$440 for lenses alone) gets you most of the way there, especially for lower-priced brands.
Combine your insurance allowance with manufacturer rebates. CooperVision, Alcon, and Bausch + Lomb all run $50–$100 annual supply rebates when you buy a year’s supply at once. With insurance allowance plus rebate, many wearers drop their out-of-pocket to $50–$150 for an entire year of monthly lenses.
Costco Optical consistently prices monthly contacts 15–25% below 1-800 Contacts and retail optical shops. The $65/year Costco membership pays for itself quickly if contacts are your main purchase there.
Bottom Line
Monthly contacts cost $240–$440/year for lenses plus $80–$200 for solution — roughly $320–$640 total for most full-time wearers. They’re the most budget-friendly daily-wear option on the market, but only if you stick to the 30-day replacement schedule. Insurance allowances typically cover 40–60% of annual costs. Stretch pairs past schedule and you’re not saving money — you’re creating a risk not worth taking for a few extra weeks from a $40 box.