Top Contact Lenses: How to Choose

This article is not sponsored in any way.

Before deciding which type of lens to use, it is worth taking some time to research the advancements in different contact lens technologies and understand how they can benefit you as a consumer and wearer. If you are new to the topic, we recommend first reading our guide to contact lenses.

The main use of contact lenses is to correct refractive errors, improving your visual quality with a small lens covering the cornea. Lenses may be hard or soft depending on the material. Gas permeable lenses allow the passage of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the material. About 90% of patients wear soft contact lenses, and soft daily lenses generally reduce infections when used and handled correctly. Hard lenses are usually reserved for patients with abnormally shaped corneas (such as keratoconus) or special needs.

Best daily soft disposable lens: Bausch + Lomb INFUSE

INFUSE is the only silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact engineered with a next-generation material infused with ProBalance Technology, a unique blend of ingredients released to help keep the lens feeling moist and comfortable on the eye.

Contact lenses, by nature, alter the balance of ocular surface homeostasis, which can lead to dryness and discomfort. INFUSE ProBalance Technology helps maintain that homeostasis to minimize symptoms of contact lens dryness. It balances moisture, modulus, and breathability, and maintains 96% of its moisture for a full 16 hours. It contains osmoprotectants, electrolytes, and moisturizers (erythritol, glycerin, potassium, poloxamine 1107, and poloxamer 181) that help retain hydration, provide a smooth wettable surface, and keep tear proteins in a healthy state.

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 0.50D steps
Spherical aberration control: Yes

The silicone hydrogel lens has high oxygen transmissibility, making it a very healthy lens for the surface of the eye.

Price: $88.87 per box (90 lenses), daily wear.

Best monthly lens: Alcon Total 30

TOTAL30 is the first and only monthly replacement Water Gradient contact lens that feels like nothing, even at day 30. It delivers outstanding comfort, superior softness, and lubricity, with a core water content of 55% while the outermost surface approaches 100% water. Its CELLIGENT Technology uses biomimetic features to help resist bacteria and lipid deposits.

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 or extended wear)
Light properties: Class I UV absorption and High Energy Visible Light filtration
Base curve: 8.4mm
Diameter: 14.2mm
Center thickness: 0.09mm @ -3.00D
Power range: +8.00D to +6.50D in 0.50D steps / +6.00D to +0.25D in 0.25D steps / -0.25D to -8.00D in 0.25D steps / -8.50D to -12.00D in 0.50D steps

Price: $49.87 per box.

Best lens for astigmatism: Alcon Dailies Total 1 for Astigmatism

Made with two technologies that provide ultimate comfort for astigmatic patients: Water Gradient Technology (WGT) and Smart Tears Technology (STT).

WGT: a gradual transition in water content from core to surface, approaching 100% at the lens surface, enabling high breathability and exceptional comfort.
STT: releases phosphatidylcholine (PC), an ingredient found naturally in tears that helps stabilize the lipid layer of the tear film.

It features the PRECISION BALANCE 8|4 Lens Design, which helps reduce lower lid interaction and oscillation with each blink, settles in an average of 37 seconds within 2 degrees of ideal orientation, and offers 99% first-lens-fit success based on movement, centration, and rotation at initial fitting.

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; filters 33% of High Energy Visible Light

Price: $39.99 for a 30 pack and $100.98 for a 90 pack.

Best lens for beginners: Alcon Precision 1

Water Gradient Technology provides a thick cushion of moisture (about 6 microns), with a 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 stabilize the lipid layer of the tear film.

This lens can transform a new wearer into a lifetime wearer at a mainstream price, providing precise vision, dependable comfort, and easy handling, with a modulus design that holds its shape.

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

Price: $32.99 for a 30 pack and $68.06 for a 90 pack.

Best multifocal lens: Acuvue Oasys Multifocal

If you have difficulty focusing up close and find yourself stretching your arm to read your phone, Acuvue Oasys Multifocal lenses (with pupil-optimized design) may be for you. They are designed to provide clear vision at all distances, helping you see near, far, and in-between.

Clear vision: unique optical technology designed to help you see what you need, when you need it.
All-day comfort: moisture infused for exceptional comfort all day.
Eye health: one of the highest levels of UV protection available in a reusable contact lens.

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 and 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 lenses).

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Multifocal for Astigmatism

This lens features three technologies in one. It provides clear vision at all distances for wearers with presbyopia thanks to its 3-Zone Progressive design, while also correcting astigmatism with OpticAlign. It locks in moisture for a full 16 hours with MoistureSeal technology. It is the first and only lens of its kind available as a standard offering, giving patients both seamless transitions and reliable lens stability.

Price: $109.87 per box (6 lenses), monthly.

Acuvue Oasys 1-Day with HydraLuxe Technology

These daily lenses help bring your vision into focus with exceptional comfort every day. Their unique Tear-Inspired Design delivers superior comfort and sharper, clearer vision. They are recommended for daily disposable wearers and current wearers seeking superior vision and comfort while using digital devices. HydraLuxe Technology evenly spreads all layers of the tear film and promotes a smooth, lubricious refractive surface with an enhanced network of tear-like molecules, making it a top go-to lens for long days.

Price: $91.98 for a 90 pack.

CooperVision Biofinity Toric

The number-one most prescribed toric lens on the market, suitable for virtually any astigmatic patient who wants proven performance and extended-parameter options. It delivers predictable, consistent visual acuity and lens stability. CooperVision is number one in the US for toric contact lenses and is regarded by eye care professionals as an expert in toric designs, so it is no surprise that Biofinity toric is the most prescribed toric lens.

Aquaform Technology: creates an optimized balance of high oxygen permeability, good water content, and optimum modulus for increased breathability and moisture in a soft, flexible lens. It attracts and binds water throughout the lens material to retain moisture, even during reduced blinking.
Optimized Toric Lens Geometry: a multifaceted design ensuring optimal visual acuity, lens stability, fit, and comfort. Its uniform horizontal ISO thickness and wide ballast band quickly orient the lens, improving centration and stability by reducing rotation and simplifying the fitting process.

Biofinity toric has more prescription options than all other monthly replacement silicone hydrogel toric brands combined, and with Biofinity XR toric (nearly 33,000 parameter options) you can provide vision correction for 99.9% of patients.

Material: comfilcon A
Water content: 48%
Oxygen transmissibility: 116 Dk/t @ -3.00D
Center thickness: 0.11mm @ -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)
Cylinder power: -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.

Best budget daily lens: 1-Day Acuvue Moist with LACREON

1-Day Acuvue Moist 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 lenses. You enjoy fresh, new lenses every day and simply toss them at the end of the day. Available with correction for near and farsighted prescriptions.

Material: etafilcon A
Water content: 58%
Oxygen transmissibility: 25.5 Dk/t
Center thickness: 0.084mm @ -3.00D
Technology: LACREON
Light properties: blocks ~97% of UVB and 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)

Price: $29.98 for a 30 pack and $59.98 for a 90 pack (prices may vary).

Note: a cosmetic lens is a colored lens used to cover an unsightly blind eye. The term is sometimes also applied to lenses used for non-pathological conditions to enhance cosmetic appearance.

Choosing the right contact lens depends on your prescription, lifestyle, and eye health. The best way to find your ideal lens is a professional fitting. At Dr. Reichmann’s clinic in Roatan we perform complete eye exams and contact lens fittings as part of our eye care services. Book your appointment today.

Top Contact Lenses 2022