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Air Optix vs Acuvue Oasys

It's time for new contacts, and you've narrowed it down to Air Optix vs. Acuvue Oasys. Both brands offer high-quality, breathable contact lenses that support all-day comfort, but is one a better choice for you than the other? 

When you start digging into options, terms like Hydraclear, TearStable, and SmartShield pop up. If sorting out the lingo gives you a bigger headache than wearing an old prescription does, don't worry. We've broken down the deets to make it easy to choose a contact lens brand that works for you. 

Let's start with a quick look at what these products have in common and where the brands stand separately. 

Similarities: 

  • Both use silicone hydrogel lenses (this lets more oxygen hit your eye — eyes need to breathe, too, you know?). 

  • Both brands offer options for a variety of needs, including traditional vision correction and astigmatism. 

  • Lenses from both brands support high moisture retention to reduce dryness and related issues, such as frustrating eye itch and redness. 

Differences: 

  • Acuvue Oasys uses Senofilcon A, while Air Optix uses Lotrafilcon B. Scroll down to the header "Materials and durability" for a TL;DR-style explanation of these terms meant for everyone who's not a lab scientist. 

  • The brands use different moisture technologies (we'll try not to say moist too often in this comparison). 

  • Air Optix lenses are often replaced once a month, while Acuvue Oasys products are replaced daily, weekly, or every 2 weeks. 

Keep reading to find out more about how lenses from these brands compare. We'll talk comfort, wear schedules, durability and pricing.  

Air Optix 

Air Optix lenses have high oxygen permeability — that's science talk for "these lenses are quite breezy." That's a good thing because oxygen is important for your eyes. SmartShield technology on these lenses helps reduce the buildup of mineral deposits, contributing to the 30-day wear cycle. 

Some Air Optix products to consider include: 

  • Air Optix plus HydraGlyde. The HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix helps keep these lenses hydrated for optimal comfort. Best for those who want additional moisture (okay ... maybe we're going to have to say moist a lot). 

  • Air Optix NIGHT & DAY AQUA. You can wear these lenses for up to 30 continuous nights. Best for those who want optimal convenience and are comfortable sleeping in their contacts.  

  • Air Optix for Astigmatism. These lenses are designed to help correct astigmatism. Best for (wait for it...) those with astigmatism. 

Acuvue Oasys 

Acuvue Oasys lenses are designed to support consistent moisture. (Listen. We used the thesaurus, but no one wants contacts that support foggy, humid, sweaty or rainy eyes. So, it's gotta be moisture.) 

The Acuvue Oasys lenses also have UV protection that blocks over 90% of UVA and 99% of UVB rays — pretty much, they help keep your peepers safe from harmful sun rays. You still can't look directly at the sun, though! 

Some Acuvue Oasys products to consider include: 

  • Acuvue Oasys with HYDRACLEAR PLUS. These lenses offer the highest UV protection you can get on the market and ample hydration to support all-day comfort. Best for those who need a well-hydrated lens and want the sustainability of a 1- to 2-week replacement cycle.  

  • Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism. ACUVUE uses Accelerated Stabilization Design technology to make contacts comfortable for those with astigmatism. Best for those with astigmatism who are concerned about dry eyes. 

  • 1-DAY ACUVUE MOIST. (Dude. Moist is in the name. There is nothing we can do here). Best for those who want the convenience of daily disposables with ACUVUE's hydration technology.  

Comfort and handling 

Whether you're considering Air Optix HydraGlyde vs. Acuvue Oasys or Acuvue Oasys vs. Air Optix NIGHT & DAY, a primary consideration is how comfortable and convenient the lenses will be. 

Both Air Optix and Acuvue Oasys make contacts designed to hold hydration and help prevent discomfort from dryness and buildup. However, the Acuvue Oasys lenses have a higher water content, which might make them slightly more comfortable for some users. 

At the same time, more water content can make lenses "stickier." Don't worry; they're not going to stick to your lids or hold your eyes closed like pieces of tape. "Stickiness" in the contact lens world refers to how much a lense "grabs hold" of your fingers when you're handling them. Acuvue Oasys products may grab hold harder than Air Optix, making them just a bit more difficult to pop into your eye. Newbies may want to take note and go with a less sticky lens until they're practiced at inserting them. 

Wearing and replacement cycles 

Air Optix concentrates on long-term wear cycles. You wear the same lenses for a whole month. Some products are designed to be taken out each night, while Air Optix NIGHT & DAY AQUA lenses can be worn for 30 days straight.  

Acuvue Oasys lenses are usually worn for up to 2 weeks before you replace them, but some of the products are daily disposables.  

Materials and durability 

If you're here to learn about Senofilicon A vs. Lotrafilcon B, here's the TL;DR breakdown: 

  • Acuvue Oasys = Senofilicon A 

    • High water content for soft, comfortable lenses in the short-term 

    • Moderate oxygen permeability 

    • Supports up to biweekly wear 

  • Air Optix = Lotrafilcon B 

    • Lower water content but less evaporation for longer wear 

    • High oxygen permeability 

    • Durability up to a month of wear 

Price 

As you can see from the per-lens breakdown below, pricing is similar for contact lenses from both brands. When considering what works best for your budget, keep your intended wear schedule in mind. 

For example, Air Optix NIGHT & DAY AQUA looks like the most expensive option in the breakdown below. But if you wear one pair of lenses for an entire month, you might find it a more affordable option than the 1-DAY Acuvue Oasys MOIST, which is a daily disposable.  

  • Acuvue Oasys with HYDRACLEAR PLUS: $6.53 per lens 

  • Acuvue Oasys for astigmatism: $9.33 per lens 

  • 1-DAY Acuvue Oasys MOIST: $1.47 per lens 

  • Air Optix plus HydraGlyde: $9.33 per lens 

  • Air Optix NIGHT & DAY AQAU: $15.99 per lens 

  • Air Optix for Astigmatism: $11.19 per lens 

Acuvue Oasys vs. Air Optix 

Whether you're trying to decide between Acuvue Oasys for astigmatism vs. Air Optix for astigmatism or other products from these brands, consider your preferences for wear schedule, your budget and how moist (last time, swear!) you need your lenses to be. 

Talk to your eye care professional if you have further questions. Once you settle on the right lenses for you, step into our easy ordering process.  

Did you know you can order contacts online? 

Say goodbye to trips to the eye doctor and hello to convenience! With 1-800 Contacts, you can easily order your contact lenses online and have them delivered straight to your door. Plus, our online vision exam makes it simple to get the prescription you need without leaving home. And the best part? You’ll save money on your first order with 1-800 Contacts. It’s never been easier to get your contacts!