What are silicone hydrogel contact lenses

Medically reviewed by Sharon Copeland 17/02/2021

What is silicone hydrogel?

Silicone hydrogel is an advanced plastic material used to make contact lenses that offer enhanced comfort for the wearer. The material achieves this by being highly breathable and allowing up to six times more oxygen to reach the eye than most other soft contacts. Silicone hydrogel was originally intended for long periods of uninterrupted use, including overnight wear, with minimal lens handling and cleaning. Today, this material is most used for daily lenses that are removed at night, and for daily disposable, single-use lenses too.

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses also boast a highly wettable design that locks in moisture to retain a flexible shape, making it easier for the lens to follow your eye’s movements.

What are the benefits of silicone hydrogel contact lenses?

One of the major benefits of choosing silicone hydrogel contact lenses is the increased comfort you’ll experience. The eye will receive more oxygen due to the breathable design, staying fresh and hydrated, therefore reducing the risk of infection or irritation that can occur from dry eyes.

Silicone hydrogel lenses have also developed a reputation as some of the most comfortable contacts around, with the exceptional breathability and the water-locking design keeping eyes moist and fresh for longer. As a result of this unique design and high level of water retention, silicone hydrogel contact lenses can also be worn for longer than most other lenses.

We stock a wide selection of silicone hydrogel contact lenses at Feel Good Contacts, including Acuvue Oasys, Air Optix Aqua, Acuvue Oasys 1-Day with HydraLuxe, Biofinity and Dailies Total 1. Silicone hydrogel lenses are available for those with astigmatism (toric lenses) and presbyopia (multifocal lenses).