Bausch + Lomb ULTRA vs Air Optix plus HydraGlyde
Updated: Feb 6, 2020
Comparison Highlights
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and Air Optix plus HydraGlyde are monthly replaceable silicone hydrogel contacts with an aspherical lens design.- Oxygen transmission through the lens to the cornea and a consistent level of moisture throughout the day are two important criteria for contact lenses. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA's water content is 46% or about 39% higher when compared to the slightly stiffer HydraGlyde. While expecting a reversed number when looking at the breathability of the lenses, the Ultra lens still outperforms the Hydraglyde with a 163 Dk/t value compared to 138 Dk/t.
- Both lenses are tinted for better handling but don't provide any UV blocking.
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA and Air Optix plus HydraGlyde - Spec Sheets
Bausch + Lomb ULTRA | AIR OPTIX plus HydraGlyde | ||
| Product Image |  |  | |
| Manufacturer | Bausch & Lomb Inc. | Alcon Inc. | |
| Release Date | 2014 | Nov 2016 (US) April 2016 (Europe) | |
| Prescription Parameters | |||
| Replacement Schedule | Monthly | Monthly | |
Wearing Details | Daily wear | Daily wear or up to 6 nights extended wear | |
| Sphere Powers | +6.00 to -6.00D in 0.25 steps -6.00D to -12.00D in 0.5 steps | +6.50D to +8.00D (in 0.5 steps) +6.00D to -8.00D (in 0.25 steps) -8.50D to -12.00D (in 0.5 steps) | |
| Base Curves | 8.5 mm | 8.6 mm | |
| Diameters | 14.2 mm | 14.2 mm | |
| Technical Parameters | |||
| FDA Group | V | V (V-Cm) | |
| Lens Material | Silicone hydrogel (Samfilcon A) | Silicone hydrogel (Lotrafilcon B) | |
| Lens Type | Aspherical | Aspherical | |
| Wetting Agent | Yes - PVP | Yes - PVP - PEG | |
| % of Material | 54% | 67% | |
| % of Water | 46% | 33% | |
| Center Thickness | 0.07 mm | 0.08 mm | |
| Oxygen Transmission | 163 Dk/t | 138 Dk/t | |
| Modulus | 0.7 MPa | 1.0 MPa | |
| Other Features | |||
| Special Features | - MoistureSeal Technology - Aspheric Optics | HydraGlyde SmartShield Technology | |
| UV Blocking | No | No | |
| Dynamic Light Absorption | No | No | |
| Visibility Tint | Yes (light blue) | Yes Light Blue (VISITINT®) | |
| Inside-out Mark | No | No | |
| Packaging, Pricing and Offers | |||
| Packaging Details | 6 lenses per box, immersed in a poloxamine solution | 6 lenses per box, each lens in a foil-sealed plastic package containing phosphate buffered saline with 1% copolymer 845 and 0.04% ethylene oxide-butylene oxide copolymer | |
| Price Range | $39 - $60 | $36 - $45 | |
| Cost per Day | $0.22 - $0.33 | $0.20 - $0.25 | |
| Online Retailers (U.S., Canada, U.K.) | Special Deals | Special Deals | |
Additional Resources (external)
U.S. National Library of Medicine - Comparison of Two Marketed Silicone Hydrogel Lenses
By: Alcon Research
Published: Oct, 2016
Lotrafilcon B with HydraGlyde moisture matrix or Samfilcon A: Contralateral comparison study for comfort
By: Nilay Yuksel, Derya Yaman - Department of Ophthalmology, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Published by: Taiwan Journal of Optometry - Wolters Kluwer - KnowMed - 2019
Have you tried these contact lenses? We would love to get your feedback!