Contact Lens Cost Calculator
Calculate annual contact lens cost from box price, lenses per box, and replacement schedule.
Compare daily, biweekly, and monthly lens costs.
This calculator breaks down your daily, monthly, and annual cost of wearing contact lenses — including lenses, solution, cases, and eye exam fees — so you can compare brands or weigh contacts against glasses.
The core formula is:
Daily Cost = (Annual Lens Cost + Annual Solution Cost + Annual Exam Cost + Annual Case/Accessory Cost) / 365
Annual Lens Cost depends on lens type:
Annual Lens Cost = (365 / Days Per Pair) × Cost Per Box ÷ Pairs Per Box
- Daily disposables (1 day/pair): 730 lenses/year ÷ 30 per box × price/box
- Bi-weekly lenses (14 days/pair): 26 pairs/year
- Monthly lenses (30 days/pair): 12 pairs/year (one for each eye, so ×2)
Worked Example: Monthly contact lenses at $35/box (6 lenses per box):
- Pairs needed per year: 12 (both eyes) → 2 boxes/eye × 2 eyes = 4 boxes minimum
- Annual lens cost = 4 × $35 = $140
- Solution: $12/bottle × 6 bottles = $72
- Annual eye exam: $100
- Cases: ~$10
- Total annual cost = $322 → $0.88/day
Comparison:
- Daily disposables (premium): ~$600–$900/year
- Bi-weekly: ~$250–$400/year
- Monthly: ~$200–$350/year
- Glasses (amortized over 3 years): ~$80–$150/year
Note: Wearers who sleep in lenses risk corneal infections — the CDC estimates 1 million US doctor visits per year are related to contact lens misuse, adding unexpected healthcare costs.