What Is Silicone Hydrogel? Learn the Features to Choose the Right Lenses

When choosing contact lenses, don’t you hear the term “silicone hydrogel” more and more these days? This material allows more oxygen to reach your eyes, keeping them comfortable and healthy. In recent years, many manufacturers have started offering lenses made from silicone hydrogel. As a result, these lenses have become a popular choice for people looking for both comfort and eye care.

In this article, we’ll explain the features of silicone hydrogel lenses, how they differ from traditional materials, and important points to keep in mind when using them.
We’ll also introduce some popular silicone hydrogel lenses to help you choose the right ones for your eyes.

What Is Silicone Hydrogel?

Silicone hydrogel is a type of contact lens material that combines silicone and hydrogel components. Its key feature is that it allows a high level of oxygen to pass through to the eye, making it a highly functional material that has gained significant attention. Because it helps prevent oxygen deprivation in the cornea, it can be worn for long periods while maintaining eye health. That’s why contact lenses made with silicone hydrogel are suitable for people who tend to have dry eyes.

Differences from Conventional Materials and Features of Silicone Hydrogel

Silicone hydrogel materials offer several advantages over conventional lens materials. Below are the key benefits explained in detail.

Highly oxygen-permeable and gentle on the eyes

The greatest advantage of silicone hydrogel lenses is their high oxygen permeability. The cornea has no blood vessels and receives oxygen through the tear film, but contact lenses can reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches it, which may cause swelling or redness. Therefore, choosing lenses that allow enough oxygen to pass through is important.

Conventional hydrogel lenses deliver oxygen through their water content, so increasing oxygen permeability requires increasing the amount of water in the lens.
In contrast, silicone hydrogel lenses allow oxygen to pass directly through the material itself, enabling them to supply sufficient oxygen even with lower water content.

Thanks to their significantly superior oxygen permeability, silicone hydrogel lenses help reduce corneal oxygen deficiency and are gentler on the eyes.

Less prone to causing dryness

Traditional hydrogel lenses deliver oxygen through their water content, so higher water content generally means better oxygen permeability. However, high-water lenses lose moisture more easily, causing the eye to draw water from the tear film and potentially leading to dryness.

Silicone hydrogel lenses, by contrast, let oxygen pass directly through the silicone material, allowing them to maintain high oxygen permeability without relying on water content.
Because they can stay effective even with lower water content, they tend to reduce dryness.

These lenses are especially suitable for people who work in air-conditioned environments, use computers for long hours, or are prone to dry eyes.

Resistant to deformation, making the lenses easier to handle

Silicone hydrogel lenses are firmer than conventional materials and maintain their shape well. Because the curvature of the lens stays intact even when held with your fingers, they are easy to put on and remove, making them suitable for contact-lens beginners.

They are also more durable and less likely to tear. This helps prevent issues such as “the lens is too soft to insert” or “it tore while cleaning,” which makes silicone hydrogel lenses an appealing option.

Things to Know About Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

The main points to keep in mind when using silicone hydrogel contact lenses are the following two:

Comfort and individual compatibility vary

Some people may experience a foreign-body sensation or slight irritation when wearing silicone hydrogel lenses. This is because they are generally firmer than traditional hydrogel lenses.
Those who are new to contact lenses or have sensitive eyes may be more likely to notice this discomfort.

In addition, the lens surface can be very smooth, making the lenses harder to remove, and in rare cases, some users may experience an allergic reaction if the material is not compatible with their eyes.
If you are trying silicone hydrogel lenses for the first time, it’s important to consult an eye care professional and choose lenses that suit your eyes.

Prone to oil deposits

While silicone hydrogel lenses are resistant to protein buildup, they are somewhat more susceptible to oil deposits. Oil from makeup products or hand creams can adhere to the lens surface, causing blurred vision or discomfort.

Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses. On days when you wear makeup, it's also important to follow the proper order: put in your contacts first, then apply makeup.

Our Popular Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Daily Lenses

Qieto1day Rich (30 Pack)

These high-spec silicone hydrogel lenses offer excellent value compared with other products in the same category. Moisturising ingredients, including sodium hyaluronate and sodium alginate, gently surround the eyes and help retain moisture.
AU$32.90

Dailies Total 1 (30 Pack)

The lens surface has a high water content for maximum hydration, while the lens core has a 33% water content. This design makes the lenses soft and comfortable to wear, yet still easy to handle.
AU$46.90

Fortnightly Lenses

Qieto2week Rich (6 Pack)

The smooth lens surface reduces friction between the eyelid and the eye, providing a more natural, almost like-wearing-no-lens feel. Even after hours of wear, the lenses maintain excellent moisture retention, keeping your eyes comfortable up to the 14th day.
AU$20.90

Acuvue Oasys (6 Pack)

Designed with moisturising ingredients similar to natural tears to reduce friction and minimise discomfort during wear. It also helps block ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can contribute to eye ageing and other problems.
AU$35.90

Monthly Lenses

Biofinity (6 Pack)

With our unique Aqua Foam Technology, these lenses achieve high moisture retention and excellent oxygen permeability. The lens’s hydration helps provide comfortable wear, while also resisting deposits to keep them clean.
AU$48.90

Keep Your Eyes Healthy with Silicone Hydrogel

In this article, we took a closer look at silicone hydrogel contact lenses, known for their high oxygen permeability and gentle care for the eyes.

If you often experience dry eyes or spend long hours in front of a computer, why not give silicone hydrogel lenses a try? They could be just what your eyes need to stay comfortable throughout the day. By understanding your contact lenses and choosing the right pair, you can wear them comfortably and keep your eyes healthy.

Want to learn more tips for contact lens care? Browse our resources for expert advice on keeping your lenses and eyes in top condition.