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Before one can decide which type of lens is to be used, it is necessary to take some time to do the research and acknowledge the advancements in different contact lenses technologies and how they can benefit you as a consumer and wearer.
The major use of contact lenses is for the correction of refractive errors thus improving your visual quality when a small lens is covering the cornea.
Lenses may be hard or soft, depending on the nature of the material. Gas permeable lenses are lenses that permit the passage of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the material. 90% of patients wear soft contact lenses. Soft daily lenses, generally reduce infections when used and handled correctly.
Hard lenses are usually for patients with abnormally shaped corneas or special needs.
Best Daily soft disposable contact lens – Bausch and Lomb INFUSE contact lens
INFUSE® The only silicone hydrogel daily disposable contacts engineered with a next generation material infused with ProBalance TechnologyTM, a unique blend of ingredients that get released to help keep the lens feeling moist and comfortable on the eye.
Contact lens, by nature, alter the balance of ocular surface homeostasis, which can lead to symptoms of dryness and discomfort. Bausch and Lomb INFUSE ProBalance Technology helps maintain ocular surface homeostasis to aid in minimizing symptoms of contact lens dryness. It balances exceptional moisture, modulus and breathability to minimize the impact on the ocular surface and provide excellent comfort. INFUSE maintain 96% of its moisture for a full 16 hours. They contain osmoprotectants, electrolytes and moisturizers (erythritol, glycerin, potassium, poloxamine 1107 and poloxamer 181), that help maintain the eyes homeostasis under hyperosmotic stress and retain hydration, provide a smooth wettable surface and maintain tear proteins in their healthy state.
Bausch and Lomb INFUSE lens parameter
- Material: kalifilcon A
- Water content: 55%
- oxygen transmission: 134/Dk/t @ -3.00D
- Modulus: 0.5 MPa
- Visibility tint: Light blue
- Modality: Daily Disposable
- UVA/UVB: Class II
- Base curve: 8.6mm
- Diameter 14.2mm
- Center Thickness: 0.08mm@ -3.00D
- Powers +6.00D to -6.00D in 0.25D steps / -6.50D to -12.00D in 0.50 steps
- Spherical aberration control: Yes
Bausch and lomb have done an immense amount of research in infusing the lens with different electrolytes proteins and stabilizers that release out of the lens in to your tear film to help stabilize your tears and prevent dryness symptoms. The silicone hydrogel lens has a high oxygen transmissibility which means is a very healthy lens for the surface of the eye.
Price: $88.87 per box (90 contact lenses) Daily wear
Best monthly contact lens – Alcon Total 30
TOTAL30®, the first and only monthly replacement Water Gradient contact lens that feels like nothing, even at day 30. Helps deliver outstanding comfort, superior softness and lubricity. They feature very unique properties such as a core water content of 55%, while the outermost surface approaches 100% water. They posses a unique lens chemistry called, CELLIGENT® Technology, it uses biomimetic features to help resist bacteria and lipid deposits.
Total 30 Lens Parameters
- Material: Lehfilcon A
- Water content: surface 100%, core 55%
- Oxygen transmission: 154/Dk/T @ -3.00D
- Modulus: 0.6 MPa
- Handling tint: Visitint
- Modality: reusable daily wear – not approved for overnight use or extended wear.
- Light properties: Class I UV absorption and High Energy Visible Light Wavelength filtration.
- Base curve: 8.4mm
- Diameter: 14.2mm
- Center thickness: 0.09mm @ -3.00D
- Power range: +8.00D to +6.50D in 0.50 steps / +6.00D to +0.25D in 0.25 steps/ -0.25D to -8.00D in 0.25 steps/ -8.50D to -12.00D in 0.50 steps
Price $ 49.87 per box
Best contact lens for astigmatism – ALCON Dailies Total 1 for astigmatism.
Made with two technologies that provide ultimate comfort for astigmatic patients.
Water Gradient Technology and Smart Tears Technology.
WGT – Gradual transition in water content from core to surface. approaches up to 100% at the lens surface and enables a combination of high breathability and exceptional comfort.
STT – Features the release of phosphatidylcholine (PC), an ingredient found naturally in tears that helps to stabilize the lipid layer of the tear film.
The ALCON Dailies Total 1 for astigmatism has the PRECISION BALANCE 8|4® Lens Design, which help reduce lower lid interaction, less oscillation with each blink, settles in an average of 37 seconds and with 2 degrees of ideal orientation. 99% first lens fit success, based on lens movement, centration and rotation at initial fitting.
ALCON Dailies Total1 for astigmatism parameters
- Material: Delefilcon A
- Water content: surface approaches 100%, core 33%
- Oxygen transmission: 127 Dk/t @ -3.00D
- Modulus: core 0.7 MPa , surface 0.014 MPa
- Modality: daily wear, daily disposable.
- Base curve: 8.6mm
- Diameter: 14.5mm
- Center thickness: 0.09mm @ -3.00D
- Design: Precision Balance 8/4
- Light Properties: Class I UV Blocking absorption and filters 33% High Energy Visible Light Wavelength.
- Power range: SPHERE: +4.00D TO +0.50D IN 0.25D steps/ CYLINDER -0.75D, -1.25D, -1.75D, / AXIS 10, 20, 70, 80, 90, 100. 110, 160, 170, 180. CYLINDER -2.25D AXIS 10, 20,160, 170, 180. PLANO to -6.00D in 0.25D steps / CYLINDER -0.75D, -1.25D, -1.75D AXIS FULL CIRCLE IN 10 DEGREE STEPS / CYLINDER -2.25D AXIS 10, 20, 70, 80, 90, 100. 110, 160, 170, 180 SPHERE -6.50D to -8.00D in 0.50D steps / CYLINDER -0.75D, -1.25D, -1.75D AXIS 10, 20, 70, 80, 90, 100. 110, 160, 170, 180 / CYLINDER -2.25D 10, 20,160, 170, 180
Price: $39.99 for a 30 pack and $100.98 for a 90 pack
Best contact lenses for beginners: ALCON Precision 1 contact lens
Water gradient technology, with a thick cushion of moisture (~6 microns), gradual transition from 33% water content at the core, to nearly 100% at the outer surface.
SmarTears® Technology releases an ingredient found in natural tears that helps to stabilize the lipid layer of the tear film
A new lens that can transform a new wearer into a lifetime wearer at a mainstream price. They provide precise vision, dependable comfort, and ease of handling. They have an awesome modulus design that will hold its shape
ALCON Precision 1 Parameters:
- Material: Verofilcon A
- Water content: 51% core
- Oxygen transmission: 100 Dk/t @ -3.00D
- Modulus: 0.6 MPa core
- Handling tint: VISITINT
- Center thickness: 0.09mm @ -3.00D
- Base curve: 8.3mm
- Diameter: 14.2mm
- Light properties: CLASS I UV blocker 90% UVA, 99% UVB
- Power range: -0.50D -to -6.00D in 0.25D steps, -6.50D to -12.00D in 0.50D steps, +0.50D TO +6.00D in 0.25D steps, +6.50D to +8.00D in 0.50D steps.
Alcon Precision 1 price: $32.99 for a 30 pack and $68.06 for a 90 pack
Best multifocal contact lens: ACUVUE OASYS Multifocal Lens with pupil optimized design
If you have difficulty focusing up close and find yourself having to stretch your arm to read your phone, ACUVUE® OASYS MULTIFOCAL Contact Lenses may be for you.
Designed to provide you with clear vision at all distances, these lenses help you see near, far, and in-between without having to stretch your arm out or increase the font size on your phone.
CLEAR VISION: Unique optical technology specifically designed to enable you to see what you need, how and when you need to see it.
ALL DAY COMFORT: Moisture infused to provide exceptional comfort all day.
EYE HEALTH: One of the highest levels of UV protection, available in a reusable contact lens.
ACUVUE OASYS Multifocal Lens Parameter
- Material: senofilcon A
- Water content: 38%
- Oxygen transmission: 147 Dk/t
- Proprietary technology: HydraClear Plus
- Center thickness: 0.070mm @ -3.00D
- Wearing Schedule: extended wear, daily wear.
- Base Curve: 8.4mm
- Diameter: 14.3mm
- Light properties: Blocks ~97% of UVB & 82% of UVA
- Power range: +6.00D to -9.00D (in 0.25D steps)
- ADDS:
- LOW: +0.75D to +1.25D
- MID: +1.50D to +1.75D
- HIGH: +2.00D to +2.50D
Price: $50 per box ( 6 contact lenses)
Bausch and Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for astigmatism contact lens
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism contact lenses feature three great technologies in one lens. They provide clear vision at all distances for wearers with presbyopia thanks to their 3-Zone Progressive design, while also correcting astigmatism with OpticAlign. In addition to delivering clear and consistent vision, ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism contacts lock in moisture for a full 16 hours with MoistureSeal technology.
It’s the first and only lens of its kind available as a standard offering. This advancement in contact lens technology gives patients both seamless transitions and reliable lens stability. Get ready for a lens that’s making seamless and stable a standard.
Price $109.87 per box (6 contact lenses) Monthly contact lens.
ACUVUE OASYS 1 Day with HydraLuxe Technology – contact lenses that can help you bring your vision into focus with exceptional comfort, every day. They have an extraordinary feature with unique Tear-Inspired Design that helps to deliver superior comfort, sharper, and clearer vision. Recommended for daily disposable contact lens wearers and current wearers seeking a lens for superior vision and comfort while using digital devices. The HydraLuxe® Technology is a Tear-Inspired Design that helps to evenly spread all the layers of the tear film and promotes a smooth and lubricious refractive surface with an enhanced network of tear-like molecules that lubricates the lens for effortless blinking, moisturizes the lens and allows uptake of key tear components. They are the top go-to contact lens for long days. Price $91.98 for a 90 pack
COOPERVISION Biofinity Toric contact lens
#1, most prescribed toric lens on the market.
Lenses for virtually any astigmatic patient who wants proven performance and extended-parameter options. Predictable, consistent visual acuity and lens stability. Uniform horizontal ISO thickness and wide ballast band quickly orient the lens for better performance and simple fitting
CooperVision is #1 in the US for toric contact lenses and rated as being the experts in toric designs from eye care professionals, so it’s no surprise that Biofinity® toric is the most prescribed toric lens.
Optimized Toric Lens Geometry™ provides predictable, consistent visual acuity, lens stability, fit, and comfort.
Biofinity® toric has more prescription options than all other monthly replacement SiHy toric brands combined. And thanks to nearly 33,000 parameter options with Biofinity XR toric, you can provide vision correction for 99.9% of patients.
Lens technology: Aquaform® Technology and Optimized Toric Lens Geometry™
Aquaform® Technology – Creates an optimized balance of high oxygen permeability, good water content, and optimum modulus to provide increased breathability and moisture in a soft, flexible lens. Our exclusive Aquaform® Technology attracts and binds water throughout the lens material to retain moisture, even during times of reduced blinking. It creates a naturally hydrophilic silicone hydrogel lens with optimum modulus that’s highly breathable, so patients can enjoy a healthier lens-wearing experience in a more comfortable lens.
Optimized Toric Lens Geometry™ – This toric lens design is multifaceted to ensure optimal visual acuity, lens stability, fit and comfort. Its uniform horizontal ISO thickness and wide ballast band quickly orient the lens for better performance and simple fitting. Improves centration and stability by reducing lens rotation; simplifies the fitting process and provides better visual acuity
COOPERVISION Biofinity Toric contact lens Parameters
- Material: comfilcon A
- Water content: 48%
- Oxygen transmissibility 116 Dk/t @ -3.00D)
- Center thickness 0.11 @ -3.00D
- Handling tint Sofblue® visibility tint
- Base curve: 8.7mm
- Diameter: 14.5mm
- Sphere power +8.00D to -10.00D (0.50D steps after +/-6.00D)
- +8.50D to +20.00D and -10.50D to -20.00D (0.50D steps)
- +20.00D to -20.00D (0.50D steps after +/-6.00D)
- Cylinder power -0.75, -1.25, -1.75, -2.25-0.75, -1.25, -1.75, -2.25-2.75, -3.25, -3.75, -4.25, -4.75, -5.25, -5.75
Price $54.98 for a 6 pack
Top on a budget daily contact lens – 1 Day ACUVUE MOIST with lacreon
1-DAY ACUVUE® MOIST Contact Lenses provide enhanced hydration by helping to keep moisture in and irritation out. LACREON® Technology with an embedded wetting agent creates a long-lasting cushion of moisture for these daily contact lenses. You can enjoy the cleanliness of fresh, new contact lenses every day and the convenience of being able to simply toss them at the end of the day. Available with correction for near and farsighted prescriptions.
1 Day ACUVUE MOIST Parameters
- Lens Material: etafilcon A
- Water content: 58%
- Oxygen transmissibility: 25.5 Dk/t
- Center thickness: 0.084 mm @ -3.00D
- Technology: Lacreon
- Light properties: Blocks ~97% of UVB & 82% of UVA
- Base Curve: 8.5mm
- Diameter: 14.2mm
- Power range: -0.50D to -12.00D/+0.50D to +6.00D (in 0.50D steps above -6.00D)
- Power range BC 9.0mm/ D14.2mm -0.50D to -12.00D, +0.50D to +6.00D (in 0.50D steps above -6.00D)
Price $29.98 for a 30 pack and $59.98 for a 90 pack (prices may vary).
Cosmetic lens is the term for a colored lens used to cover an unsightly blind eye: this term is sometime applied to lenses that are used for non pathological conditions to enhance cosmetic appearance.
