With ACUVUE OASYS® (introduced in 2005) and ACUVUE VITA® (introduced in 2016), we are comparing 2 popular non-daily-replaceable contact lenses from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
What's the Same?
Before we dive into differences, let's quickly look at the features the ACUVUE OASYS® and the ACUVUE VITA® share.
Material
ACUVUE OASYS® and ACUVUE VITA® are silicone hydrogel based contact lenses using a material called Senofilcon. This material is capable of letting a high level of oxygen through to the eye, which helps your eyes feel fresh even at the end of the day. The Oxygen Transmissibility parameter (also called Dk/t parameter) is identical for both lenses and with 147 Dk/t as high as other newer silicone hydrogel lenses in the market.
UV Blocking
The FDA classifies lenses into Class 1 and Class 2 lenses, based on their ability to block a certain level of harmful UVA and UVB rays. Both lenses are classified as Class 1 lenses, which means they are able to filter out more than 99% of UVB light and more than 90% of UVB light.
Tinting and Inside-out Mark
No difference here. ACUVUE OASYS® and ACUVUE VITA® are slightly blue-tinted contact lenses that don’t change the natural color of your eyes but help you to see them in the blister package or your small lens case. 
And, both lenses have a 1-2-3 mark printed on the side of the lens to indicate whether the lens is turned inside out.
Prescription Parameters
With an identical diopter range, patients are covered if their prescription is between -12.00D and +8.00D.
What's Different?
While OASYS must be replaced every 2 weeks, VITA can be enjoyed up to a month before it needs to be tossed. This comes as a surprise, as the base material is the same, except for VITA using a newer version of Senofilcon. While this might be the main difference it also uses a different hydration technology called HydraMax while OASYS is using a Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) based wetting agent as part of the HYDRACLEAR® PLUS technology.
Let's have a quick look at the 2 product families. You'll notice that OASYS is currently available for all 3 major vision correction types. VITA doesn't offer a version for Presbyopia, so if you are looking for a multi-focal lens, you are out of luck with the VITA.
Product Families
ACUVUE OASYS® Family |
ACUVUE VITA® Family |
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ACUVUE VITA® for Presbyopia is not available yet |
Replacement Schedule and Modality
ACUVUE OASYS® is a bi-weekly replaceable lens, so you typically buy a box of 6 or 12 lenses per eye and you are covered for a 3 month period or half a year. With ACUVUE VITA® you are looking at a monthly replaceable lens, so your lenses last for an entire month. Different than with daily lenses, you also need to purchase the appropriate cleaning solution and getting used to a rigid cleaning routine. Not everyone's favorite thing to do.
Packaging and Pricing
ACUVUE OASYS® and ACUVUE VITA® can be purchased in various box-sizes, containing 6,12 or 24 lenses. Assuming that you will have a different prescription for each eye, you would typically buy multiples of 2 boxes, and hence would be covered for 3 months, 6 months or a full year. It is worth to check volume discounts, especially when buying online, as prices can vary upon ordering multiple boxes or when signing up for ‘auto-refill’. Our spec sheet is also providing a ‘daily cost’ calculation and the price difference (while not huge) is a bit in favor of ACUVUE OASYS®.
ACUVUE OASYS® vs. ACUVUE VITA®: Specs Compared
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ACUVUE OASYS®
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ACUVUE® VITA®
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| Manufacturer | Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. | Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. |
| Release Date | 2005 | June 2016 |
| Prescription Parameters | ||
| Replacement Schedule | Two weeks | Monthly |
Wearing Details |
Daily wear or up to 6 consecutive nights extended wear | Daily wear |
| Available Sphere Powers | -12.00D to -6.00D in 0.5 steps -6.00D to +6.00D in 0.25 steps +6.00D to +8.00D in 0.5 steps | -12.00D to +8.00D (in 0.5 steps after +-6.00D) |
| Available Base Curves | 8.4mm 8.8mm | 8.4mm or 8.8mm |
| Available Diameters | 14.0mm | 14.5mm |
| Technical Parameters | ||
| Lens Material | Silicone hydrogel (Senofilcon A) | Silicone hydrogel (Senofilcon C) |
| Lens Type | Spherical | Spherical |
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Wetting Agent |
Yes - PVP | Yes - PVP |
| % of Material | 62% | 59% |
| % of Water | 38% | 41% |
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Center Thickness |
0.07mm | 0.07mm |
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Oxygen Transmission |
147 Dk/t | 147 Dk/t |
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Modulus |
0.7 MPa | Unknown |
| Other Features | ||
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Special Features |
Internal wetting agent Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) using HYDRACLEAR® PLUS technology for better wettability and lens surface smoothness. | - Hydramax for increased hydration - Infinity Edge Design for additional comfort |
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UV Blocking |
Class 1 96% UVA 99% UVB | Class 1 >90% UVA >99% UVB |
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Dynamic Light Absorption |
No | |
| Visibility Tint | Yes (blue) | Yes (blue) |
| Inside-out Mark | Yes (123) | Yes (123) |
| Packaging, Pricing and Ratings | ||
| Packaging Details | 6 lenses per box, each lens in a foil-sealed plastic package | 6 lenses per box, each lens in a foil-sealed plastic package |
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Online Retail Price |
$26 - $34 | $42 - $60 |
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Cost per Day |
$0.28 - $0.38 | $0.23 - $0.33 |
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Consumer Rating |
( 951 Votes ) | ( 50 Votes ) |
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Bottom line: Which Lens Should You Get?
First of all, check with your eye care practitioner. Only she/he will be able to determine whether any of these lenses are right for you. And in case both are:
Consider ACUVUE VITA® if you want the latest technology with Senofilcon C and HydraMax.
Get ACUVUE OASYS® if you want to save a few bucks. Best case scenario: you save about 5 cents per day and eye, which adds up to about $35 in savings per year. And, with the time-tested OASYS you can start with a fresh pair every 2 weeks.
Have your tried both lenses? We would love to hear from you.