If you are a contact lens wearer in Malaysia, you know the struggle: by 4 PM, after hours in an air-conditioned office and staring at digital screens, your eyes start to feel gritty, red, and tired. Many lenses start out comfortable but "dry out" as the day progresses.
Alcon’s AIR OPTIX™ plus HydraGlyde™ was engineered specifically to combat this cycle of dryness and discomfort. It is designed to stay hydrated from the moment you put it on until the moment you head home.
Most contact lenses lose moisture because the water inside them evaporates. AIR OPTIX™ plus HydraGlyde™ features a specialized Moisture Matrix:
Constant Hydration: This technology surrounds the lens in a long-lasting envelope of moisture.
All-Day Wear: It is designed to keep the lens surface hydrated throughout the day, making it ideal for those who wear lenses for 10 to 12 hours straight.
In Malaysia’s environment, lipids (natural oils from your eyes), dust, and makeup residue can easily stick to your lenses, causing blurred vision and itchiness.
The Shield: AIR OPTIX™ features SmartShield™ Technology, an ultra-thin protective layer.
The Benefit: It resists the buildup of daily deposits, ensuring your lenses stay clean and clear from Day 1 to Day 30.
Because these are made from a high-performance Silicone Hydrogel material, they allow up to 5 times more oxygen to reach your eyes compared to traditional soft lenses. This helps your eyes stay white and healthy-looking, even at the end of a long work week.
1. Can I wear AIR OPTIX™ plus HydraGlyde® for 30 days straight without taking them out? No. While these lenses are highly breathable and approved for "extended wear" in some countries under professional guidance, the standard practice in Malaysia is daily wear with monthly replacement. You must remove, clean, and disinfect them every night to prevent eye infections and maintain corneal health.
2. How is AIR OPTIX™ plus HydraGlyde® different from the original AIR OPTIX™ Aqua? The "plus HydraGlyde" version is an upgraded technology. It features the same high-oxygen silicone hydrogel material but adds an extra moisture-attracting layer. This keeps the lens surface significantly wetter for a longer duration, specifically solving the "end-of-day dryness" that some users experienced with the older Aqua version.
3. Is it normal to feel the lens in my eye during the first few days of switching? If you are switching from a traditional hydrogel lens (like older, thinner HEMA lenses) to a silicone hydrogel lens like AIR OPTIX™, you might notice a slight difference in "lens feel" initially. This is because silicone hydrogel is slightly firmer to allow more oxygen through. Most users adapt within 2 to 3 days and eventually find them more comfortable due to the increased oxygen and moisture.
4. Can I use any brand of solution to clean my AIR OPTIX™ lenses? For the best results, it is recommended to use a solution specifically designed for silicone hydrogel lenses. Alcon recommends OPTI-FREE™ PureMoist™ or AOSEPT™ Plus with HydraGlyde™. These solutions are formulated to work with the lens surface to recondition the moisture matrix every night, ensuring the lens feels like new every morning.
5. What should I do if my vision becomes blurry after two weeks of wearing the same pair? If your vision gets cloudy before the 30 days are up, it is usually due to protein or lipid (oil) deposits on the lens surface. Ensure you are using a "rub and rinse" technique when cleaning your lenses at night, even if your solution says "No Rub." This physical cleaning helps remove the stubborn deposits that SmartShield® aims to minimize.
More detail about Intan Optometry Clinic
Malaysia
