Are You Choosing the Right Alcon Lens for Your Lifestyle?
You are standing in the contact lens aisle, or perhaps you are sitting in the exam chair in Okotoks, and the optician has placed two options in front of you. On one side is Air Optix plus HydraGlyde, a monthly silicone hydrogel lens that has been a staple in practices across Alberta for over a decade. On the other is Precision1, a daily disposable lens that has surged in popularity for its water gradient technology. The confusion is understandable. Both are made by Alcon. Both promise high oxygen transmissibility. But they solve very different problems.
Having fitted thousands of pairs of lenses, I can tell you that the "best" lens is not the one with the highest Dk/t value on the spec sheet. It is the one you will actually wear comfortably for twelve to sixteen hours a day. The decision usually comes down to two factors: your tolerance for routine maintenance and your eyes' specific moisture needs. Let’s break down the technical realities of handling and hydration so you can make a choice that doesn’t leave you with dry, red eyes by 4:00 PM.
Handling: The Stiffness Factor
This is the single biggest differentiator for new wearers, and it is where Precision1 often trips people up. Air Optix lenses are made from a silicone hydrogel material that is inherently stiffer. This stiffness is a feature, not a bug. It means the lens holds its shape. When you pull it out of the blister pack, it doesn’t flop around. You can place it on your fingertip, and it stays there. For someone with long eyelashes, or for those who struggle with fine motor skills, this makes insertion significantly easier. If you drop an Air Optix lens, you can usually find it, rinse it, and put it back in. It behaves like a small, firm disc.
Precision1, by contrast, is designed to be extremely soft. It uses a water gradient technology where the core is firmer for stability, but the surface is incredibly slick and hydrated. This makes it feel "melt-in" on the eye, but it makes handling a nightmare for beginners. It tends to fold on itself if you aren’t careful. It can feel slippery on the fingertip. If you have ever tried to put in a daily lens that felt like a wet piece of tissue, you know the frustration. For experienced wearers, this softness translates to superior initial comfort. For a first-timer, it often translates to a ten-minute struggle with a mirror.
My advice: If you are new to contacts, start with Air Optix. The learning curve is flatter. Once you have mastered the insertion technique, you can decide if the extra comfort of a daily is worth the hassle.
Moisture Retention: Surface vs. Bulk
Moisture is not a one-size-fits-all metric. We look at two things: water content and the "water gradient."
Air Optix plus HydraGlyde uses a silicone hydrogel material with a moderate water content. The "HydraGlyde" part is a wetting agent incorporated into the lens during manufacturing. It works well for the first two weeks. By day 20 or 25, the surface of the lens can start to accumulate lipid deposits from your tear film. If you live in a dry climate or spend all day in an air-conditioned office in south Calgary, you might notice the lens feeling slightly "tacky" or dry towards the end of the month. You are cleaning it every night, which helps, but the material itself is not changing its hydration profile.
Precision1 uses a unique water gradient. The lens is about 33% water at the core, but the surface is nearly 80% water. This mimics the natural moisture of the eye. Because it is a daily disposable, that surface integrity is perfect every single morning. There is no buildup of proteins or lipids because you throw the lens away after one use. For patients with chronic dry eye or those who use their eyes heavily on screens, this surface hydration is a game-changer. You are not relying on a wetting agent that fades; you are relying on the lens structure itself.
However, here is the tradeoff: Precision1 can sometimes feel "too wet" initially, causing a slight sliding sensation on the eye. Air Optix, being stiffer, tends to stay put. If you have a high blink rate or do a lot of physical activity, the stability of Air Optix might be preferable to the slickness of Precision1.
Cost Analysis: The Hidden Math
Let’s talk about the money, because it is often the deciding factor for families in Okotoks and High River.
- Air Optix (Monthly): You buy a box of six lenses (three pairs) that lasts six months. The upfront cost is higher, but the per-day cost is lower. However, you must factor in the cost of multipurpose solution. A bottle costs roughly $15-$20 and lasts about a month. Over a year, that adds up to nearly $200 just for solution.
- Precision1 (Daily): You buy a box of 30 lenses. The per-day cost is slightly higher than Air Optix. But you pay $0 for solution. You also eliminate the risk of eye infections caused by improper lens storage, which can be a costly medical visit if things go wrong.
For most patients, the cost difference is negligible—perhaps a few dollars a week. If you value convenience and hygiene, Precision1 is the better value. If you are budget-conscious and disciplined about cleaning, Air Optix is the economical choice.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Air Optix plus HydraGlyde if:
- You are a beginner and need a lens that is easy to handle.
- You wear contacts occasionally (e.g., weekends only) and don’t want to buy a full year’s supply of daily lenses.
- You have no significant history of dry eye.
- You are comfortable with a nightly cleaning routine.
Choose Precision1 if:
- You suffer from dry eyes, especially in winter when the air is dry.
- You work in an office with low humidity or high screen usage.
- You have had issues with lens deposits or redness in the past.
- You want the ultimate convenience of "wear and toss."
- You have allergies. Throwing away the lens daily removes the allergens that stick to monthly lenses.
What About Astigmatism and Multifocals?
Both lenses come in toric (astigmatism) and multifocal versions. However, the availability differs. Air Optix has a longer history with toric lenses, and the stabilization design is very mature. If you have high astigmatism, you might find the Air Optix toric provides more stable vision during eye movement. Precision1 toric lenses are excellent, but because they are softer, they can sometimes rotate more on the eye. This is rarely an issue for mild to moderate astigmatism, but for high prescriptions, it requires a careful fitting.
For multifocals, Precision1 often wins on comfort. Older patients often find the softness of the daily lens more forgiving on the eye surface, whereas the stiffer Air Optix multifocal can sometimes cause a slight awareness of the lens edges.
The Trial Rule
Spec sheets do not lie, but they do not tell the whole story. Your tear film is unique. Some people’s tears break up the water gradient on Precision1 faster than others. Some people’s tears are too lipid-heavy for Air Optix. This is why we always recommend a trial pair. Do not buy a full year’s supply based on a conversation alone. Try a box of Precision1 for two weeks. Try a box of Air Optix for a month. See how your eyes feel at 5:00 PM on a Tuesday.
We see a lot of patients in the south Calgary area who have been wearing the same lens for ten years simply because they never tried the alternative. The technology has changed. The materials are softer, more breathable, and more hydrated. Don’t settle for dry eyes because you think that is just what contacts feel like.
If you are ready to compare these options in person, Book an Appointment with our team in Okotoks to find the perfect fit for your eyes.