Alcon Contact Lenses

Why Alcon Lenses Perform So Well

• HydraMax™ Technology — The defining feature of DAILIES TOTAL1, this creates a water gradient through the lens — starting at around 33% water at the core and rising to over 80% at the outermost surface. In practical terms, the part of the lens that actually touches your eye feels almost like water. For people who have tried multiple daily lenses and still experience dryness or end-of-day discomfort, this is often the technology that makes a genuine difference.
• SmartSurface® Technology — Featured in PRECISION1, this creates a micro-thin moisture layer at the outer lens surface that exceeds 80% water content, while the core sits at 51%. The result is a surface that feels noticeably smooth against your eye from the moment of insertion — particularly well suited to first-time wearers or anyone who has previously given up on contact lenses because of discomfort.
• Blink-Activated Moisture — Found in DAILIES AquaComfort Plus, this releases a fresh burst of moisture with every blink. It's a simple but effective solution for people who find their lenses feel driest during the middle of the day — when blinking rates naturally drop during screen use.
• SmartShield® Technology — Built into the Air Optix family, this creates an ultra-thin protective surface layer that resists protein and lipid deposits accumulating on the lens throughout the month. A cleaner lens surface means more consistent comfort in week three and four of your wearing cycle — which is exactly where most monthly lenses start to lose their edge.
• HydraGlyde® Moisture Matrix — Featured in Air Optix plus HydraGlyde, this technology attracts and retains moisture molecules across the lens surface throughout the entire monthly wear cycle. Where SmartShield® keeps the lens clean, HydraGlyde® keeps it consistently lubricated. The two technologies work together so the lens feels as comfortable on day 28 as it did on day one.
• High Oxygen Transmissibility — Alcon's silicone hydrogel lenses are engineered to allow a continuous, high level of oxygen flow to your cornea. Adequate oxygen keeps your eyes looking clear and white and is fundamental to long-term eye health for anyone wearing contact lenses regularly.
• PRECISION PROFILE® Design — Used in Alcon's multifocal lenses, this optical design uses your eye's natural pupil response to light to transition between near, intermediate, and distance vision — making multifocal wear feel significantly more natural than older generation designs.

Which Alcon Lens Is Right For You?

• You want a reliable daily disposable for general everyday wear: DAILIES AquaComfort Plus is a well-established daily lens with Blink-Activated Moisture — straightforward, comfortable, and practical for standard wearing hours.
• You want a premium daily lens with excellent surface hydration, but at a more accessible price than DAILIES TOTAL1: PRECISION1 is the lens to discuss with your optometrist. SmartSurface® Technology delivers over 80% water content at the lens surface, up to 16 hours of comfortable wear, and Class 1 UV blocking. It was specifically designed for first-time wearers and people who have previously dropped out of contact lens wear due to discomfort or handling difficulties.
• You've tried daily lenses before and your eyes still feel dry or uncomfortable by the afternoon: DAILIES TOTAL1 is worth the conversation. The water gradient surface technology genuinely sets it apart from other dailies, and it's the lens we most commonly see make a meaningful difference for persistent dryness sufferers or those wearing lenses for very long hours.
• You prefer a monthly lens and want consistent comfort through the full 30-day cycle: Air Optix plus HydraGlyde is Alcon's current core monthly silicone hydrogel, combining SmartShield® and HydraGlyde® Moisture Matrix for reliable end-of-month comfort. If you want to step up further, TOTAL30 is Alcon's premium monthly lens — bringing a water gradient surface similar to DAILIES TOTAL1 into the monthly category.
• You have long days, work in challenging environments, or want the option of occasional extended wear: Air Optix Night & Day Aqua is one of the most oxygen-permeable lenses ever made and is approved for continuous wear — but only when specifically evaluated and prescribed for extended wear by your optometrist. Never treat this as a convenience decision.
• You have astigmatism and need stable, sharp vision throughout the day: Air Optix for Astigmatism, TOTAL30 FOR Astigmatism or DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism — all designed to stay correctly positioned and deliver consistent, blur-free correction regardless of how active your day is.
• You have presbyopia and want clear vision at near, intermediate, and distance without reaching for reading glasses: Air Optix plus HydraGlyde Multifocal and TOTAL30 Multifocal use PRECISION PROFILE® Design to handle all three focal distances in a single lens — ask your optometrist whether it suits your prescription and your specific vision demands.

(Note: If you are upgrading to a new lens technology, the transition must be approved by your optometrist first).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Ciba Vision and Alcon the same company?
Yes. Alcon acquired Ciba Vision, and all the contact lenses previously sold under the Ciba Vision name — including Air Optix and DAILIES — are now manufactured and distributed under the Alcon brand. The lens materials and technologies remained consistent through the transition, so if you were a Ciba Vision wearer, you're already familiar with Alcon's core lens families.

When would I choose PRECISION1 over DAILIES TOTAL1?
Both sit within Alcon's Permanent Water Surface category and both deliver significantly more moisture at the lens surface than a conventional silicone hydrogel daily. The key differences are oxygen transmissibility, the depth of the water gradient, and price. DAILIES TOTAL1 has a higher oxygen transmissibility (Dk/t of 156 versus PRECISION1's Dk/t of 100) and its water gradient approaches nearly 100% at the very outermost surface — making it the stronger choice for persistent dry eye, very long wearing hours, or highly sensitive eyes. PRECISION1 delivers over 80% water content at the surface — a meaningful step up from conventional dailies — and provides up to 16 hours of comfortable wear. It was specifically designed to address the reasons why one in five new contact lens wearers discontinue wear within the first year: discomfort, poor vision, and handling difficulties. If you're a first-time wearer, returning to lenses after a break, or want a premium daily at a more accessible price, PRECISION1 is the more practical starting point. Your optometrist can trial both and guide you based on how your eyes respond.

What makes TOTAL30 different from Air Optix plus HydraGlyde?
TOTAL30 is Alcon's newest premium monthly lens, bringing a water gradient surface technology — similar in principle to DAILIES TOTAL1 — to the monthly category. Air Optix plus HydraGlyde is a proven, widely prescribed monthly silicone hydrogel that combines SmartShield® deposit resistance with HydraGlyde® lubrication for consistent month-long comfort. If you're finding that Air Optix plus HydraGlyde feels less comfortable toward the end of the month, TOTAL30 is worth discussing with your optometrist as a step up.

Can I sleep in my Alcon contact lenses?
Only Air Optix Night & Day Aqua is approved for continuous wear, including sleeping. It's one of the highest oxygen-transmissible lenses ever made, which is what makes extended wear physiologically safer than with standard lenses. That said, sleeping in any contact lens — even an approved one — carries a meaningfully higher risk of infection than daily removal. This should only happen under explicit recommendation from your optometrist, not as a matter of convenience. Never sleep in DAILIES AquaComfort Plus, PRECISION1, DAILIES TOTAL1, Air Optix plus HydraGlyde, TOTAL30, or any other daily or standard monthly lens.

Is DAILIES TOTAL1 worth the extra cost?
For most wearers, the answer comes down to how your eyes feel at the end of the day. If you're comfortable in a standard daily lens, a more affordable option like PRECISION1 or DAILIES AquaComfort Plus will serve you well. But if you regularly experience dryness, lens awareness, or discomfort after long hours of wear, DAILIES TOTAL1's water gradient architecture and SmarTears® Technology represent a measurably different lens that performs where standard dailies fall short. Your optometrist can arrange a trial pair so you can assess whether your eyes respond to the difference before committing to a full box.