With so many contact lenses available, it can be hard to find the best one for our patients.
In hopes of providing some guidance based on my clinical experience, I have rounded up my choices for the best contact lenses of 2024, organized by various categories.
Note that I have personally tried each of the lenses listed that are currently available. In addition, I highlight some products that have intrigued me this year.
Best daily contact lenses
Figure 1: Courtesy of Johnson & Johnson.
ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day with HydraLuxe Technology (Johnson & Johnson) are daily disposable contact lenses that feature Hydraluxe Technology and ultraviolet (UV) protection.1,2 HydraLuxe Technology mimics the natural properties of tears, which provides comfort and performance.1,2
This lens mimics the natural properties of tears with a network of tear-like molecules that resemble ocular mucins. These mucins play an essential role in lubricating the eye and leading to more comfortable vision.1,2
It also has built-in UV protection, which helps block harmful UV rays from reaching the eyes, hence making this lens a perfect choice for sports use.1 These lenses also have the highest classification of UV blocking available in contacts.
Best daily contact lenses with astigmatism
Figure 2: Courtesy of Alcon.
DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism (Alcon) is a daily disposable contact lens that offers exceptional comfort and clarity for people with astigmatism. DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism has a unique design that keeps the lens stable on the eye and prevents excessive rotation.3
The lens design plays an essential role in its stability. It has a PRECISION BALANCE 8|4 Lens Design, which optimizes lens movement, rotation, and centration for improved fit and vision with the fitting.3
It also has water gradient technology, which creates a cushion of moisture on the surface of the lens, and SmarTears technology, which releases an ingredient found naturally in tears to help stabilize the tear film.3
My usual go-to daily lens for patients with astigmatism was ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day for Astigmatism, but recently, I have been using DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism more frequently with successful fits.
Best monthly contact lens
Figure 3: Courtesy of CooperVision.
Biofinity (CooperVision) is a brand of monthly disposable contact lenses by CooperVision.4 Biofinity lenses are made with Aquaform Technology, which locks in water and allows oxygen to pass through the lens.4 This lens also results in high oxygen transmission and high water content, which reduces deposit buildup.4
Biofinity also offers these lenses in Biofinity XR, which is extending range, along with this in their toric version, hence it is an easier fit for patients with out-of-range prescriptions.
Best contact lenses for myopia control
Figure 4: Courtesy of CooperVision.
MiSight 1 day (CooperVision) are the first and only FDA-approved soft contact lenses that are proven to slow myopia progression in children aged from 8 to 12 years at the time of initiation.5,6
A clinical student showed that over three years, MiSight 1 day reduced the rate of myopia progression by 59% on average, compared to a single vision 1-day lens.5 There was also a 52% reduction in axial lengthening compared to a single 1-day lens.5
These lenses have two treatment zones that create myopic defocus with image focus in the front of the retina rather than behind, which slows down the elongation of axial length.5,6
Figure 5: Courtesy of CooperVision.
Best multifocal contact lens
My choice of contact lenses depends on the patient’s needs. I usually recommend DAILIES TOTAL1 Multifocal lenses. However, I have had less success fitting them with hyperopic patients. Their decreased pupil side makes it more difficult to achieve satisfactory distance and near vision with high Add multifocal lenses.
But recently, I had many older patients who were hyperopic and wanted multifocal lenses. It was hard to give them clear and comfortable vision for both far and near distances with regular high Add multifocal lenses. This is because of age-related changes in pupil size along with hyperopia.
Figure 6: Courtesy of CooperVision.
The Proclear multifocal XR (CooperVision) contact lens offers more flexibility and control and has an extensive parameter range including seven Add powers.7 Using higher Add powers along with dominant and non-dominant fitting allows for more ability to control the patient’s vision.
The table below lists the specifics of my top lenses, as reviewed thus far.
| Contact Lens | Base Curve (BC) | Diameter | Spherical Correction | Cylinder | Add | Dk/t |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACUVUE OASYS 1-Day with HydraLuxe | 8.5/9.0 | 14.3 | -0.50 to -12.00, +0.50 to +8.00, 0.50 steps over ±6.00 | 121@-3.00 | ||
| DAILIES TOTAL1 for Astigmatism | 8.6 | 14.5 | Power ranges | 127@-3.00 | ||
| Biofinity | 8.6 | 14.0 | +8.00 to -12.00 | 160@-3.00 | ||
| MiSight 1 Day | 8.7 | 14.2 | -0.50 to -7.00 | 28@-3.00 | ||
| Proclear Multifocal XR | 8.4 | 14.4 | +20.00 to -20.00 | +1.00 to +4.00 | 36.8@-3.00 and +1.50 Add |
Table 1: Courtesy of Mohit Adlakha, OD.
Best prosthetic contact lens
There are several conditions for which patients may benefit from prosthetic contact lenses, including amblyopia, albinism, aniridia, diplopia, double vision, light sensitivity, photophobia, pupil irregularities, scarred cornea, and other ocular anomalies.8 Tinted contact lenses can also be used for sports vision.9,10
Adventure In Colors is a company that offers custom design contact lenses that offer different tints for sports vision or tints to reduce glare with conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa.9 They also offer hand-painted soft contact lenses to help patients with different prosthetic needs including albinism, aniridia, and other anomalies.9 This is a great option for patients with such anomalies.
My preferred contact lens cleaner
Figure 7: Courtesy of Alcon.
My preferred contact lens solution for most of the extended wear lenses is OPTI-FREE Puremoist (Alcon). It is a multipurpose contact lens solution that is easy to use.
Although extended wear lenses are compatible with hydrogen peroxide cleaners, I prefer to stick to multipurpose cleaners especially for new wearers due to ease of understanding and use.
Closing thoughts
Contact lens technology and types continue to improve over time, and it can get overwhelming to choose from all the options.
Hence, understanding the needs of your patient and their ocular history will help you narrow down the best options for them. These are some of my go-to lenses, but the choice tends to change from patient to patient.
As always, do not forget to recycle your contact lenses.
Disclaimer: The information provided is the opinion of the author, Mohit Adlakha, OD, of Ontario, Canada, and not necessarily of Eyes On Eyecare. Efforts have been made to provide the most up-to-date evidence-based medical information, but content should not necessarily be considered as standard care and may not reflect individual practices in other geographic locations.
