Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses: A Complete Guide

Before you look for the best silicone hydrogel contact lenses to buy, you might want to know more about them. These lenses are a combination of silicone and hydrogen and offer higher permeability compared to the regular hydrogel lenses. Let us take a look at the advantages of using these lenses.


Contact lenses have gained high popularity due to the several advantages they offer over glasses. This surge in popularity took place primarily after hydrogel contact lenses were introduced in the early 1990s. The most significant factor behind this is the high level of comfort offered by the hydrogel lenses. In 2002, a new type of contact lens known as silicone hydrogel contact lenses was introduced. While both hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses are made up of soft plastic materials, they do differ in several ways.



Benefits of wearing silicone hydrogel contact lenses

  • Better hydration and permeability: These lenses can absorb water, which ensures better hydration for the eyes. As a result, they offer a higher level of comfort and remain fresh throughout the cycle. Moreover, they are porous and allow more oxygen to pass to the cornea.

  • Solving eye problems: The high permeability helps to solve a number of problems that hydrogel lens users tend to face. Hypoxia, a medical condition caused due to insufficient oxygen in the cornea can be avoided by using silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Those suffering from mydriasis (dry eyes) would find these lenses beneficial, thanks to the better hydration they offer. These contact lenses are perfect for eye problems like myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.

  • Customisability: Silicone hydrogel lenses can be made to be custom fit. This makes these lenses perfect for those with irregularly shaped eyes. Moreover, these lenses can also be designed to be bifocal. Like hydrogel lenses, they are available in a wide variety of colors.

  • Durability: Silicone hydrogel lenses are more durable than hydrogel ones and can be worn for longer periods of time, such as 2 to 4 weeks. This is because they stay hydrated and comfortable longer than traditional lenses. If you have a busy schedule, these lenses might be suitable for you as they would save you the trouble of having to clean your lenses very often. However, you might want to note that changing lenses daily lowers the risk of infections.

Differences between hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lenses

Both these materials have their own benefits and which one is more suitable varies from person to person. Let us now see how Hydrogel and Silicone Hydrogel lenses differ from each other.

  • Pricing: The best silicone hydrogel contact lenses are made up of comparatively high-quality material and hence costlier than usual hydrogel ones. However, as they can be worn for longer periods of time, the total cost may get balanced.

  • Sensitivity: Hydrogel lenses might be more suitable for sensitive eyes as some are allergic to silicone. It is recommended to consult your doctor to know if you should go for silicone hydrogel lenses. Moreover, hydrogel lenses are softer and can contain more water, which makes them comfortable for sensitive eyes.

  • Long term use: The water content in Hydrogel lenses evaporates after many hours of use, causing discomfort to the eyes. The silicone hydrogel ones, on the other hand, can be worn for many hours without any issues as they stay hydrated for long periods of time. These lenses are suitable for those who spend a lot of time in front of screens.

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