Why Are Daily Disposable Contacts So Expensive?

Petra · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 05:27 PM

Why does it cost so much to buy disposable contacts? They should be cheaper because you usually buy more at a time and then you throw them away after wearing them once.

harrychiling · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petra

Why does it cost so much to buy disposable contacts? They should be cheaper because you usually buy more at a time and then you throw them away after wearing them once.

Their is a cost for production that needs to be factored into the equation. I know everyone hates it but it's a business and the people making the lenses have families to support as well. When lookign at the cost of Daily lenses often times people ignore the fact that solutionsa and cases are no longer required.

Solutions are expensive and when factored intot eh equation they make the dailies more palatable. Plus they are healthier for the eyes with less possibility fo wearing contaminated lenses for extended periods of time.

Funny way to think of it: Imagine having new underwear every time, instead of washing them.

jessje · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008, 12:25 PM

the production costs are just as high as normal lenses, plus everything that is disposable is not envirement friendly, and most countries have an extra tax on those items.

harrychiling · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessje

the production costs are just as high as normal lenses, plus everything that is disposable is not envirement friendly, and most countries have an extra tax on those items.

Your right production costs are just as high, so 5 boxes of Acuvue 2 would cost the same as produceing a single 30 day supply of Acuvue 1 day, given you logic. Then we didn't factor in the additional 4 cartons in the Acuvue 2.

Also consider this lets use a set production cost of $1.00 for each lens (you should be able to figure out this isn't a real figure). A conventional lens would cost $1.00 but the manufacturer will only be able to sell you 2 of those a year assuming that the lenses don't rip. Production = $2.00

A one year supply of Dailies will cost the $365 x 2 eyes a year. Production = $1,825.00

Starting to get the picture, yet. Sure in real life they don't actually cost that much more and in reality the production of a larger volume of lenses such as the dailies would bring the cost per unit down as well so we might be looking at $0.50 or less to produce the dailes over a $1.00 to produce the conventional but we still haven't factored into it the R and D on the products, the labor required, and every other cost. It's far easier to leave the prodcution and costs to the manufacturer and purchase the prodcut based on the needs and value you associate with the lens. The USA is a free market so the lenses cost what your willing to pay for them not a dollar more and definately not a dollar less, if you don't believe that statement keep in mind many here on this forum buy there lenses online because they percieve it as cheaper. The lenses still cost the same to produce and the online company still has to make money? They operate off volume and they cut the service aspect out of there equation.

The disposable lenses are not enviornmentaly friendly and if that is the concern then eyeglasses should be the only option as the frames could be reused/recycled and if you use polycarbonate lenses they too can be recycled.

The reality of the situation is that every lens can't be everything, dailies are a great option and their cost is fairly comparitive to 2 week disposables when solutions and cases are factored in. Now the reality of the situation is that 80% or better of contact lens wearers are non compliant in some way or another. Here are some examples:

>Wearing 2 week lenses for 3 weeks or longer
>Resuseing the same solution you stored them in for multiple nights
>Overwearing lenses

Those are just the few that I can think of off the top of my head. Sure for those 80% of people it's only a small percentage that experience any issues, but if your the 5% or less of that 80% that experiences the issues you'll be kicking yourself in the butt for not listening to your eye care professional. When I make a comparison on the costs I have to assume that you are following the recommended wear times and schedules that your prescriber set for you and that you are using the proper solutions at the proper intervals.

As for the country and tax neither the original poster or you have stated the country you reside in so I have no way of knowing the additional taxes that may be levied and even if you did state the cvountry how would I know your laws? That is not my profession as I could assume it might not be yours.

twocents · #5 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008, 12:51 AM

The cost of solution is nothing compared to the cost of the lenses, especially when you consider how much solution you use compared to the lenses.

I see them as more waste, lenses packaging-- the whole deal, and you dont save any money. As long as you keep your regular lenses clean there should not be a problem or big concern as far as your eyes health goes.

Petra · #6 (**permalink**) 07-14-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petra

Why does it cost so much to buy disposable contacts? They should be cheaper because you usually buy more at a time and then you throw them away after wearing them once.

Wow. That's quite a response. Thank you all for taking the time to give us at lens 101 your valuable input.