Air Optix Aqua vs. Biofinity

Air Optix Aqua from Alcon Inc. and Biofinity from CooperVision Inc. are high-performance monthly replaceable contact lenses using a silicone hydrogel material. Both lenses are approved for extended wear (6 nights / 7 days) as prescribed by your eye care practitioner.
Biofinity lets more oxygen pass through the lens to your eye, is slightly thinner than Air Optix Aqua and covers a broader prescription range (from -12.0D to +8.00D). The average daily cost of both lenses is in a similar range.

By the way, the two companies have released 'upgraded' versions of the two lenses: Biofinity Energys and Air Optix with Hydraglyde. A comparison can be found here.

Air Optix Aqua and Biofinity - Spec Sheets

	AIR OPTIX AQUA	Biofinity
Product Image
Manufacturer	Alcon Inc.	CooperVision, Inc. part of The Cooper Companies Inc.
Release Date	2008	2007
Prescription Parameters
Replacement Schedule	Monthly	Monthly
Wearing Details	Daily wear or up to 6 nights extended wear	Daily wear or up to 6 nights or 7 days extended wear
Available Sphere Powers	+6.00D to -8.00D (in 0.25 steps) -8.50D to -10.00D (in 0.5 steps)	-12.00D to +8.00D (in 0.5 steps after +-6.00D)
Available Base Curves	8.6 mm	8.6 mm
Available Diameters	14.2 mm	14.0 mm
Technical Parameters
FDA Group	V	V
Lens Material	Silicone hydrogel (Lotrafilcon B)	Silicone hydrogel (Comfilcon A)
Lens Type	Aspherical	Aspherical
Wetting Agent	Yes - PVP - PEG	None
% of Material	67%	52%
% of Water	33%	48%
Center Thickness	0.08 mm	0.08 mm
Oxygen Transmission	138 Dk/t	160 Dk/t
Modulus	1.0 MPa	0.75 MPa
Other Features
Special Features	TriComfort™ Technology High wettability through low contact angle. Permanent plasma treatment for a smooth surface	Aquaform® Technology
UV Blocking	No	No
Dynamic Light Absorption	No	No
Visibility Tint	Yes Light Blue (VISITINT®)	Yes (Sofblue®)
Inside-out Mark	No	No
Packaging, Pricing and Offers
Packaging Details	6 lenses per box, each lens in a foil-sealed plastic package containing phosphate buffered saline with (or without) 1% copolymer 845	6 lenses per box, immersed in buffered 0.83% saline
Price Range	$30 - $50	$35 - $50
Cost per Day	$0.17 - $0.28	$0.19 - $0.28
Special Offers - U.S.	Offer 1 - USA Offer 2 - USA	Offer 1 - USA Offer 2 - USA
Special Offers - Canada	Offer Canada	Offer Canada

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Conclusion:

Biofinity covers a wider range of available powers than the Air Optix Aqua. Both lenses are available as toric as well as multifocal lenses.