DAILIES TOTAL1

DAILIES TOTAL1 is widely regarded as the most technologically advanced daily disposable contact lens available in Australia — and the technology behind that reputation is specific and verifiable, not just a marketing claim.

It is the world's first contact lens built with water gradient technology. The lens core sits at approximately 33% water content, providing the structural integrity and high oxygen transmissibility of a premium silicone hydrogel. But as you move outward toward the surface that actually touches your eye, the water content rises to nearly 100%. That outermost layer behaves less like a conventional lens material and more like your own tear film — creating almost no friction against your cornea or eyelid throughout the day.

For most wearers, end-of-day dryness and discomfort in contact lenses comes down to one thing: friction. DAILIES TOTAL1 was engineered specifically to address that problem at a material level. It's available in spherical, toric, and multifocal prescriptions — all requiring a valid prescription from your optometrist.

Why DAILIES TOTAL1 Lenses Perform So Well

• Water Gradient Technology (HydraMax™): The defining technology of DAILIES TOTAL1. The lens material transitions from approximately 33% water at its core to nearly 100% water at the very outer surface. This gradient means the outermost layer of the lens — the layer in physical contact with your eyelid and cornea — behaves almost like the surface of the eye itself, dramatically reducing friction and lens awareness throughout the day.
• SmarTears® Technology: — Exclusive to DAILIES TOTAL1, this releases phosphatidylcholine — a lipid naturally found in your own tears — directly from the lens throughout the wearing period. It actively stabilises your tear film from the inside out, rather than simply sitting passively on the eye. Clinical studies confirmed this surface performance holds after 16 hours of wear.
• Delefilcon A Silicone Hydrogel: — The proprietary lens material that makes the water gradient possible. It provides the structural oxygen transmissibility of a premium silicone hydrogel while the water gradient surface addresses the dryness that silicone materials can sometimes cause — meaning you get both the breathability and the surface comfort that wearers typically have to choose between with other lenses.
• High Oxygen Transmissibility (Dk/t of 156): One of the highest oxygen transmissibility ratings available in a daily disposable lens. Adequate oxygen flow to your cornea is fundamental to long-term eye health — and at Dk/t 156, DAILIES TOTAL1 delivers that continuously throughout the day.
• Reduced Friction Surface: Alcon's clinical data shows that the near-100% water outer surface produces significantly lower friction compared to conventional silicone hydrogel daily lenses. In practical terms, this means less microscopic irritation from repeated eyelid movement — which is the root cause of much of the grittiness and fatigue that builds with other lenses over a long day.
• PRECISION PROFILE® Design: Used in DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal, this optical design uses your eye's natural pupil response to light to guide near, intermediate, and distance vision in a single lens — producing a more natural multifocal experience than older centre-near or centre-distance designs.

Which DAILIES TOTAL1 Lens Is Right For You?

Here's a practical guide to the lenses we stock online, plus a clear path for wearers who need something more specialised. Your optometrist will always confirm the right fit — but this should help you arrive at that conversation knowing what to ask about:

• You have a standard spherical prescription and want the best daily disposable available: DAILIES TOTAL1 90 Pack is the most cost-effective option — a full three-month supply covering one lens per eye per day.
• You have astigmatism and want water gradient comfort in a toric lens: DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism 90 Pack brings the same water gradient surface and high oxygen transmissibility to a toric design — stable, sharp, and comfortable for astigmatic wearers throughout an active day.
• You have presbyopia and want clear vision at all distances in a daily disposable: DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal 90 Pack uses PRECISION PROFILE® Design to handle near, intermediate, and distance correction in a single lens — without the comfort compromise that older multifocal dailies sometimes involved.
• Not sure whether DAILIES TOTAL1 is the right step up for your eyes?: Ask your optometrist about a trial pair before ordering a full supply. All contact lens purchases require a valid prescription from a registered optometrist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is DAILIES TOTAL1 best suited for?
DAILIES TOTAL1 is most often recommended for wearers who experience dryness or discomfort toward the end of the day with other daily lenses, spend long hours on digital screens, work in air-conditioned or low-humidity environments, or have tried multiple daily lens brands without finding satisfactory comfort. It's also frequently recommended as the starting point for new wearers who want to begin with the most comfortable daily lens available. If any of these situations sound familiar, it's worth asking your optometrist whether DAILIES TOTAL1 is appropriate for your prescription and wearing habits.

Is DAILIES TOTAL1 worth the extra cost?
For most wearers, the answer depends on one thing: how your eyes feel at the end of the day. If you're comfortable in a standard daily lens and experience no dryness or discomfort, a more accessible option like PRECISION1 will serve you well — there's no clinical reason to pay more than you need to. But if you regularly experience dry, gritty, or tired eyes by mid-afternoon, wear lenses for ten or more hours, or have previously given up on contact lenses because they were too uncomfortable — DAILIES TOTAL1 is genuinely worth the conversation with your optometrist. The water gradient surface and SmarTears® Technology are not marketing language. They represent a measurably different lens architecture 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 90-pack.

What is the difference between DAILIES TOTAL1 and PRECISION1?
Both sit within Alcon's Permanent Water Surface lens 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 and provides up to 16 hours of comfortable wear at a lower price point. Your optometrist can trial both and guide you based on how your eyes respond.

What makes DAILIES TOTAL1 different from other silicone hydrogel daily lenses?
Most silicone hydrogel daily lenses have a relatively uniform water content throughout the lens material — typically between 40% and 60%. While this provides good oxygen flow, the surfaces can feel less naturally wet than hydrogel lenses. DAILIES TOTAL1 solves this with its water gradient: the inner core retains high-oxygen silicone hydrogel properties, while the outer surface approaches nearly 100% water content. Add SmarTears® Technology — which releases a naturally occurring tear lipid from the lens itself — and the result is a lens that actively supports your tear film rather than simply sitting on it.

Is DAILIES TOTAL1 available for astigmatism?
Yes. DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism is available in both 30-pack and 90-pack options. It applies the same water gradient surface technology, SmarTears®, and high oxygen transmissibility to a toric lens design — providing stable, clear correction for astigmatic wearers with the same all-day comfort as the standard sphere lens.

Can I wear DAILIES TOTAL1 if I have presbyopia?
Yes. DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal is specifically designed for wearers who need correction at near, intermediate, and distance. It uses PRECISION PROFILE® Design to leverage your eye's natural pupil response for smooth vision transitions between focal distances — all in a daily disposable with full water gradient comfort. If you currently wear a multifocal daily lens and still experience dryness or discomfort, this is worth discussing with your optometrist.

Does DAILIES TOTAL1 offer UV protection?
Yes — DAILIES TOTAL1 provides Class 1 UV blocking, which is the highest classification available in a contact lens. It blocks over 99% of UVB and over 95% of UVA rays that reach the lens surface. That said, contact lenses don't cover your full eye or the surrounding skin — always wear UV-blocking sunglasses alongside your lenses for complete protection.