With dozens of contact lens options on the market, choosing the right pair can feel overwhelming. Daily or monthly? Silicone hydrogel or hydrogel? Toric or spherical? At Elite Eyecare in Nashville, Dr. Nathan Lipe helps patients cut through the confusion every day — and in this guide, he breaks down what actually matters when it comes to finding the lens that works best for your eyes and your lifestyle.
Daily vs. Monthly: Which Is Better?
This is the most common question we hear at our Nashville contact lens clinic, and the honest answer is: it depends.
Daily lenses offer unmatched convenience and hygiene. You open a fresh pair every morning and throw them away at night — no cleaning, no solution, no lens case. For anyone who wears contacts only a few days a week, or for patients prone to allergies or eye infections, dailies are often the smarter choice. They're also great for travel.
Monthly lenses are worn for up to 30 days with nightly cleaning and proper storage. For patients who wear contacts every single day, monthlies can be more cost-effective — though the gap is smaller than most people expect, especially once you account for the ongoing cost of solution.
At Elite Eyecare, Dr. Lipe will actually run the numbers with you at your fitting appointment so you can make an informed decision based on your real usage habits — not a guess.
Do You Have Astigmatism?
If you've been told contacts won't work for your astigmatism, that information is out of date. Toric lenses — designed specifically for astigmatism — have improved dramatically in recent years. Every major manufacturer now offers excellent toric options in both daily and monthly modalities, and most patients achieve sharp, stable vision with the right fit.
The key is a proper contact lens fitting with corneal measurements. Toric lenses need to orient correctly on your eye, which is something Dr. Lipe evaluates carefully during your fitting at our Nashville clinic.
What About Multifocal Lenses?
If you're over 40 and finding it harder to read up close, you don't have to choose between reading glasses and contacts. Multifocal contact lenses allow you to see clearly at multiple distances simultaneously — and they've gotten remarkably good in recent years. Bausch + Lomb Ultra Multifocal and Biofinity Multifocal are two of our most popular options for patients dealing with presbyopia.
Dry Eyes and Contact Lenses
Dry eye and contact lens discomfort often go hand in hand, but it doesn't have to mean giving up contacts. The lens material makes a significant difference. Silicone hydrogel lenses like Dailies Total 1, Bausch + Lomb Infuse, and Acuvue Oasys are engineered to retain moisture throughout the day — making them a much better choice for patients with drier eyes.
If you've struggled with dry, uncomfortable contacts in the past, come in for a fitting. The right lens for your eyes may be very different from what you've been wearing.
The Most Important Step: A Proper Fitting
No online quiz or brand comparison can replace a contact lens fitting with an experienced optometrist. A fitting involves measuring your corneal curvature, evaluating your tear film, and trial-fitting lenses to confirm they sit correctly and provide clear, comfortable vision.
At Elite Eyecare, Dr. Lipe takes time during every fitting to make sure you leave with lenses that actually work — not just whatever the manufacturer recommends. For first-time wearers, we provide hands-on training right in the exam room so you're confident with insertion and removal before you go home.
Ready to find your perfect lens? Call or text us at (615) 249-4926 or book a contact lens fitting appointment online. We're located at 5300 Centennial Blvd, Suite 107, Nashville, TN 37209.
