Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the condition that causes distant vision to be blurred. You can see nearby objects clearly. But step back too far, and everything goes out of focus!
Contact lenses for myopia help those who deal with this condition. You don’t have to settle for a life with eyeglasses! Ready to explore your options?
So, What’s Myopia, Anyway?
Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, is the most common eye problem. According to several studies, an estimated 22% of the global population experiences this refractive error.
The shape of the eye (or parts of it) may cause light to bend abnormally. This is the refractive error you always hear about. This focuses light in front of your retina, instead of directly at the nerve tissues at the back of the eye. As a result, things at a distance look blurry, while nearby objects are clear.
The curved discs of contact lenses for myopia are designed to change the way light bends as it enters your eye. This corrects the refractive error and brings far objects into focus.
Choosing Contact Lenses for Myopia
There is no such thing as the best contact lenses for myopia. Each person’s needs will be different. It’s not just about varying prescriptions. It’s also about your lifestyle, pre-existing eye and other health conditions, and even your budget. You need to consider if you’re prone to dry eyes, too.
Case in point, you will see varied reviews for the recommended contact lenses below. For one brand, some users may rave about all-day comfort, while one or two will say their eyes dry up fast. This is to be expected. It shows you that you have to try out the different brands—according to your eye doctor’s recommendations (of course!).
My soft contact lenses for myopia recommendations are based on verified users’ experiences (including mine), especially in terms of visual clarity and comfort.
As for hard contact lenses, these are lauded as great options for those with severe dry eyes or irregularly-shaped corneas. They’re definitely options to talk to your doctor about.
Soft Contact Lenses for Myopia
Soft contacts are the most popular type of contact lens for myopia. They are also the most accessible. As long as you have your prescription ready, you can order a box of soft contacts from your favorite local or online eyewear store.
These lenses feel soft against the eyes. Some brands advertise contacts that feel like water. You can get these as daily, bi-weekly, and monthly disposables. Top brands include: AIR OPTIX, ACUVUE, and PRECISION1.
You also have the option of extended-wear soft contact lenses. Depending on the specific lens type and your eye care provider’s recommendation, some lenses may be worn continuously for up to a week or even a month. If you’re considering extended wear contacts, be sure to check with your eye doctor first.
Understanding Your Prescription
Before we go into your top soft lens options, make sure you understand your doctor’s prescription. This is a way to ensure that you order the correct lenses online.
Your prescription will include the lens power that you need to correct your myopia, one for each eye.
This is a number preceded by a minus sign (-) to denote correction for nearsightedness. The number starts from 0 and increases by quarters (0, 0.25, 0.50, and so on).
Your lens power number tells you if you have a mild, moderate, or severe refractive error:
- Mild: -0.25 to -2.00
- Moderate: -2.25 to -5.00
- Severe: -5.00 or lower
Make sure to have those numbers ready when you go to order your contacts online. For example, this is what it looks like when you order contacts on the EZContacts site.
AIR OPTIX Plus HydraGlyde
AIR OPTIX Plus HydraGlyde is one of Alcon’s most popular offerings, owing to its game-changing HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix technology. These monthly disposables retain moisture longer, and you get superior breathability and comfort every day.
Verified buyer Cori O. claims:
“Over 6 years of breathability! I have been wearing these contacts for the past 6 years and been satisfied with the breathability, flexibility, and comfort. No reason to try anything else. I’d recommend them to any contact lens wearer.”
PRECISION1
PRECISION1 contact lenses are marketed as entry-level lenses because of their price, superior comfort, and highest UV blocking level in daily-wear contacts. You also get Alcon’s SMARTSURFACE technology, which promises 80% water retention for all-day comfort.
Verified buyer Nicholas J. gave PRECISION1 one-day contact lenses five stars!
“I recently purchased Precision 1 contact lenses and couldn’t be happier! They are incredibly affordable and easy to use. The lenses perform exactly as advertised, providing clear vision without any irritation or dryness, even after wearing them for extended periods. Highly recommend for anyone looking for comfort and value!”
ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS
ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS contacts are biweekly contact lenses that are U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for extended wear for up to six nights/seven days. This means you can wear these for a week (with your eye doctor’s permission) without taking them off. Its HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology works like human tears, wherein a wetting agent is embedded in each lens for all-day comfort.
Verified buyer Sunny P. confirms:
“Love these contacts, very hydrating and comfortable. I’ve switched to other brands throughout the years, but always end up going right back to the Acuvue Oasys. EZ Contacts always makes the ordering process a breeze and their prices are unbeatable.”
Toric Contact Lenses for Myopia
Toric lenses are soft contact lenses specially designed for people with astigmatism. Astigmatism is the condition where your cornea has an irregular oval shape, instead of a regular round shape.
These contacts have varying prescription strengths across the lens to correct astigmatism and myopia. Like hard contact lenses, your eyes need to be specially measured for the necessary focal powers.
Biofinity Toric & Biofinity XR Toric Contact Lenses
Biofinity toric lenses and XR toric lenses are among the most commonly prescribed contacts for astigmatism and myopia. Made by CooperVision, they come with the company’s proprietary lens technology, which includes Optimized Toric Lens Geometry and Aquaform Technology. XR toric lenses are best for people who have high-level astigmatism or a higher prescription for myopia.
User Nikki2256 says it best:
“I love these contacts! So glad I found them! I use these contacts everyday! I’m a full time student and part time receptionist at a doctors office. My eyes are used to reading on the computer or in books and these contacts are great! I have horrible astigmatism and every other brand of contacts were always moving a lot in my eye and drying out…I had to repeatedly apply eye drops. But with these contacts you can’t even tell they are in your eyes! They don’t move like the others, and if they do…you can not tell. I would highly recommend these to those who have a strong astigmatism.”
ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day for ASTIGMATISM
ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day for ASTIGMATISM launched in the U.S. and Canada in July 2025. MAX 1-Day for ASTIGMATISM features 183 optical power profiles, which is 6000% more than the leading toric lens brand. Early reviews have been mostly positive, with many users reporting all-day comfort and stable vision.
Multifocal Contact Lenses
These contact lenses for myopia are also designed to correct presbyopia, or the eye condition where close objects appear blurred. Presbyopia is typically an age-related condition; hence, it’s also popularly known as old eyes. Instead of whipping out your reading glasses, consider multifocal contact lenses for myopia + presbyopia.
Dailies TOTAL1 Multifocal
Dailies TOTAL1 Multifocal contact lenses are an excellent option if you love the convenience of dailies. The brand claims a near-water sensation when you put these on; they feel like you’re wearing nothing! Also, TOTAL1 features SmarTears Technology for all-day moisture and comfort.
Reviews have been mixed. Tonia B. claims these are the “Best Multifocal” available:
“I trialed three other multifocal brands and the Dailies Total 1 Mutifocal brand is by far the best out there for mutifocals. They use a newer technology that make your vision perfect. You will not even believe you’re wearing a multifocal lens.”
While Tamara C. reports that the multifocal aspect is lacking:
“Very comfortable contact to wear; however, they need a lot more work to perfect the multifocal aspect to properly see when reading or looking at a laptop/computer screen.”
You need to try Dailies TOTAL1 yourself to see if they fit your multifocal needs.
AIR OPTIX Plus HydraGlyde Multifocal
AIR OPTIX Plus HydraGlyde Multifocal is another popular brand from Alcon. Aside from the multiple focal powers in these monthly disposable lenses, you enjoy superior all-day comfort from the company’s HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix technology.
As verified buyer Lawrence F. says:
“Great contacts. I have been wearing these for many years. They are excellent contacts. I can read all but the very finer prints and still see very well at distance.”
Hard (Gas Permeable) Contact Lenses for Myopia
Hard contacts, the original contact lenses for myopia, were initially developed in the 1970s. They were later improved for better oxygen permeability, offering more breathability and comfort. Made from oxygen-permeable polymers, they’re now more commonly known as rigid gas-permeable lenses (RGP or GP lenses).
These contact lenses are often prescribed to people with astigmatism, keratoconus (a condition where the cornea is thinner and steeper), and other more complex eye conditions. They’re a better option if you require lenses that stay in place on abnormally shaped corneas.
Hard contact lenses for myopia are custom-fitted, so you’ll need to consult with your eye doctor if you want to try these contacts. On the plus side, one pair can last you for at least a year.
Contact Lenses vs. Glasses
The choice between contact lenses and glasses really depends on you. Lifestyle and budget are, again, considerations. You might prefer the freedom and wider field of vision from contacts. Or, maybe you’d like the easy comfort of eyeglasses.
Your prescription level and eye conditions need to be considered as well. Contact lenses for more complex conditions, such as high-level astigmatism, are more expensive and require active consultations with your doctor.
In my case, I use both contact lenses and eyeglasses. It’s just nice to have options depending on what my day looks like.
Life With Contacts
If you choose the contact lens for myopia route, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. You might feel some discomfort.
You might need to get used to the feeling of having lenses over your eyes. This is true even for soft contact lenses. Likewise, different brands offer varying levels of oxygen permeability, hydration, and comfort. You might need to test several of these to find which best suits you.
2. They come with risks.
You are putting a foreign object directly over your eyes, often using just your fingertips. This comes with inherent risks. If you suffer from dry eyes, your contacts might make it worse. You are also exposing yourself to possible infections if you do not properly handle, clean, and store your contacts.
3. You need to care for them.
You need to take care in handling and cleaning soft contacts. In this respect, daily disposable contacts require the least fuss. You only have to handle your dailies carefully, with clean hands, when you put them on in the morning. When the day is done, you’ll toss them out, with no cleaning or storing required.
For other types of contact lenses, make sure to disinfect them once you take them off. Use proper disinfecting and soaking solutions to clean your lenses. Store them in a clean contact lens case.
TL;DR Summary
Contact lenses are investments in your eye health. Choose the best one for your unique needs with your doctor’s help.
- Myopia is the most common eye condition. An estimated 22% of the world has it.
- There are several contact lenses for myopia to choose from: soft, hard, toric, and multifocal.
- Your choice depends on your eye condition, overall health condition, lifestyle, and budget.
- A life with contact lenses comes with risks. You need to care for your lenses to minimize these risks properly.
Bottom Line: Contacts are game-changing for people with myopia. But it’s essential to choose the right lenses, care for them properly, and follow your eye doctor’s advice.
