Once upon a time contact lenses were made of glass. Lens materials gradually got more eye friendly but not were too comfy - and most - drastically blocked oxygen; what your eyes need to stay fresh and healthy. Finally in the late 1960's there was break-through: Soft gel-like plastics called hydrogels. Hydrogels are soft and comfortable and they are hydrophilic (which means they can hold a lot of water). 

That's key because the water in the lens material helps transmit more oxygen helping keep eyes healthier and feeling better. As a result, hydrogel contacts became the standard. Then, Acuvue revolutionized hydrogel lenses by introducing the first disposables. And hydrogel lenses still improve millions of lives every day.

So, end of story?  Not quite. Hydrogels work well but they still don't let your eyes breathe as easy as they'd like.  High water content can mean a thicker lens for durability at the same time limiting the flow of oxygen.

Which brings us to the 21st century and the next leap forward: Silicone hydrogel allows nearly 100% of available oxygen to reach your eye, almost as much as without lenses. And its durability can allow the lenses to be thinner. To make them even more comfortable Acuvue combined the innovative material with their exclusive Hydraclear wetting technology. For lenses that stay ultra-smooth and wettable while transmitting all the oxygen your eyes crave.

And it really makes a difference. In a long-term clinical study people who switched to Acuvue with Hydraclear technology enjoyed improvements in comfort related measures versus their old lenses.

The study showed:

• Less surface abrasions of the cornea
• Less redness in the white of the eye
• Less redness between the cornea and the white of the eye
• And less redness throughout the eye.

For the ultimate in comfort and performance, ask your doctor for Acuvue silicone hydrogel lenses such as Acuvue Oasys or 1-Day Acuvue TruEye (the world’s first daily disposable silicone hydrogel lens) with Hydraclear technology.