Updated: Aug 22, 2023
In the fiercely competitive field of daily replaceable contact lenses, precision, comfort and cutting-edge technologies are key to success for contact lens manufacturers. Alcon, a renowned name in the field, is offering three lens families to address your vision correction needs:
- The flagship series DAILIES TOTAL1
- The mid-tier family of PRECISION1
- A low cost-alternative with DAILIES AquaComfort Plus
This comparison looks at the latter two: PRECISION 1 and DAILIES AquaComfort Plus and while both lenses share the same daily wear convenience and stem from Alcon's long soft contact lens expertise, they diverge in critical aspects. Precision1 boasts the cutting-edge advantage of silicone hydrogel material, whereas DAILIES AquaComfort Plus embraces a different approach. In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into material composition, parameters, innovative features such as wetting technology, UV protection, breathability, and cost.
Comparison Highlights
PRECISION1 is a silicone hydrogel with a higher oxygen transmission value but a lower water content than seen in the DAILIES AquaComfort Plus.- PRECISION1 is priced between the DAILIES AquaComfort and the DAILIES Total1.
- The base curve and diameter are different.
- Dailies AquaComfort does not offer UV blocking, PRECISION1 features Class-1 UV blocking.
- PRECISION1 has been rolled out in a sphere (mono-vision) and a toric version.
- Dailies AquaComfort is also available as a toric and multi-focal version.
Table of Contents
Lens Design and Prescription Parameters
The primary design of both lenses is spherical. Unlike aspherical lenses found in certain Bausch+Lomb or CooperVision lenses, these lenses exhibit a consistent curvature across their entire surface, mimicking the shape of a sphere. There are notable differences in both the base curve and lens diameter, requiring your eye doctor's expertise to determine the optimal fit. This distinction is particularly pronounced in the base curve measurements: Precision 1 boasts an 8.3 mm base curve, whereas DAILIES AquaComfort Plus features a base curve of 8.7 mm. It's worth noting that the majority of soft contact lenses fall within the 8.4 mm to 8.7 mm range, so Precision 1 is quite different in this aspect. PRECISION1 offers vision correction ranging from -12.00D to +8.00D, whereas the DAILIES AquaComfort Plus is designed to accommodate prescriptions from -10.00D to +6.00D. If you fall into the category of patients with exceptionally high degrees of farsightedness or nearsightedness, the DAILIES AquaComfort lenses may not meet your needs.
Comparison of Material and Parameters
PRECISION1 utilizes a silicone hydrogel material, specifically Verofilcon A, which offers a higher oxygen transmission capability compared to DAILIES AquaComfort Plus. However, it features a slightly lower water content. In contrast, DAILIES AquaComfort Plus is crafted using the established non-ionic hydrogel Nelfilcon A, initially introduced in the late 1990s.
Does a high oxygen transmission value indicate a superior or more comfortable lens? The brief answer is no. This is primarily due to the fact that our eyes are exceptionally individualized and distinct. Consequently, certain eyes require heightened moisture retention, which is pivotal for sustaining comfortable contact lens wear throughout the day. Conversely, for some individuals, lens breathability holds greater significance in achieving enduring comfort.
Special Features
One of the unique features of PRECISION 1 is the higher water content on the surface, surpassing 80%. Alcon calls it SMARTSURFACE Technology? Alcon's technology employs water-loving polymers to create micro-thin moisture layers on the PRECISION1 lenses. This innovative process enhances lens surface moisture from 51% at the core to over 80% on the surface, achieved through specialized manufacturing baths and a crosslinking heating step.
On the contrary, Alcon's AquaComfort Plus features a technology that blends three moisturizing agents: HPMC, PEG, and PVA. These agents are released with each blink of an eye, effectively upholding tear film stability to enhance both comfort and achieve optimal visual acuity.
Out of the two lenses, only the PRECISION1 features UV blocking. Classified as a Class-1 lens, it has the capability to filter out more than 90% of UVA and over 99% of UVB light.
Packaging, Pricing, and Offers
Both lenses are offered in configurations of either 30 lenses per box or 90 lenses per box. Our price analysis across over 30 online retailers indicates that DAILIES AquaComfort Plus lenses are slightly more affordable. Opting for a 90-lens box results in a cost approximately 10% lower than that of the newer PRECISION1 lenses.
PRECISION1 and DAILIES AquaComfort Plus - Spec Sheets
PRECISION1 |
DAILIES AquaComfort Plus |
|
|---|---|---|
| Product Image |
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| Price Comparison | ||
| Manufacturer | Alcon Inc. | Alcon Inc. |
| Release Date | March 2019 (Australia) September 2019 (US) July 2020 (Canada) Roll-out to other countries in 2020/21 | 2009 |
| Prescription Parameters | ||
| Replacement Schedule | Daily | Daily |
Wearing Details
|
Daily wear | Daily wear |
| Sphere Powers | -12.00D to -6.00D in 0.50 steps -6.00D to +8.00D in 0.25 steps | +0.50D to +6.00D in 0.25 steps -0.50D to -6.00D in 0.25 steps -6.50D to -10.00D in 0.50 steps |
|
Base Curves
|
8.3 mm | 8.7 mm |
| Diameters | 14.2 mm | 14.0 mm |
| Technical Parameters | ||
|
FDA Group
|
V-B | II |
| Lens Material | Silicone hydrogel (Verofilcon A) | Non-ionic hydrogel (Nelfilcon A) |
| Lens Design | Spherical | Spherical |
|
Wetting Agents
|
Yes Copolymers of polyamidoamine and poly (acrylamide-acrylic) acid | Yes - HPMC - PEG - PVA |
| % of Material | 49% | 31% |
| % of Water | 51% | 69% |
|
Center Thickness
|
0.09 mm | 0.10 mm |
|
Oxygen Transmission
|
100 Dk/t 90 Dk | 26 Dk/t |
|
Modulus
|
0.6 MPa | 0.5 MPa |
| Other Features | ||
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Special Features
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UV Blocking
|
Class 1 >90% UVA >99% UVB | No |
|
Dynamic Light Absorption
|
No | No |
| Visibility Tint | Yes Light Blue (VISITINT®) | Yes Light Blue (VISITINT®) |
| Inside-out Mark | No | Yes (OK) |
| Packaging, Pricing and Offers | ||
| Packaging Details | 30 lenses per box or 90 lenses per box in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with polymeric wetting agents | 30 lenses per box or 90 lenses per box |
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Price Range
|
$31 - $46 (30 lenses) $62 - $93 (90 lenses) | $24 - $69 (30 lenses) $55 - $87 (90 lenses) |
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Cost per Day
|
$1.04 - $1.53 (30 lenses) $0.68 - $1.03 (90 lenses) | $0.79 - $2.30 (30 lenses) $0.61 - $0.97 (90 lenses) |
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Online Retailers
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Special Deals Compare Prices | Special Deals Compare Prices |
Reviews and Ratings
Here's a summary of the feedback we've been receiving from patients who have submitted their reviews.
PRECISION1 Reviews and Ratings
Positive Attributes:
- Vision: Generally rated highly across reviews.
- Comfort: Frequently mentioned as comfortable, suitable for extended wear.
- Handling: Occasionally praised for being easy to put in and handle.
- Value: Several reviewers find them reasonably priced for the quality provided.
Negative or Mixed Attributes:
- Vision: While generally praised, there are a few reports of cloudiness or less precise vision.
- Handling: Sometimes criticized for being difficult to remove, with suction-like adherence to the eye.
- Longevity: A few users mention that they don't last as long as expected before drying out or becoming uncomfortable.
- Value: Opinions on value vary, with some considering them worth the price and others finding them costly.
DAILIES AquaComfort Plus Reviews and Ratings
Positive Attributes:
- Vision: Generally good ratings, clear vision for many users.
- Comfort: Positive feedback on comfort from users.
- Handling: Generally positive experiences with handling.
- Value: Some users find the value to be good.
Negative/Mixed Attributes:
- Vision: Some users experienced blurriness or discomfort.
- Handling: Issues with folded lenses and packaging for some users.
- Quality: Mixed opinions on lens quality.
- Value: Mixed feelings about the price matching the quality.
Please note that individual experiences can vary significantly, and these attributes are based on the collective feedback provided in the reviews.