Hydrogel vs Silicone Hydrogel Lenses: Which One Should You Choose?

We often get asked by our customers what are the main differences between Hydrogel and Silicone Hydrogel. The simplest reason for this is because both are material of our contact lenses, but each have their own individual advantages when compared to one another. Before we go into detail about the main differences between them, Polymacon and Silicone Hydrogel are medical-grade lens materials that are both FDA approved.

Hydrogel Contact Lenses

Polymacon/PolyHema/PHEMA/2-HEMA, or poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), was the first hydrogel used in contact lenses. Polymacon is now used in most soft contact lenses. Its high water content makes it an excellent medium for the diffusion of oxygen and they also have a good tear spread, which means that the eye is well-hydrated while wearing them. While hydrogel lenses provide great comfort and moisture, they may lose water over time, causing end-of-day dryness and it can develop protein deposition issues over time, therefore it's important to clean your contact lenses regularly. 

Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses

One of the most popular types of contact lenses, Silicone hydrogel contact lenses can allow up to 5 times more oxygen to reach the cornea than regular hydrogel lenses, making them a better choice for people with contact lens-related dry eye syndrome or sensitive eyes. They're also great choice for people who wear their lenses for long periods of time and have thicker lenses as a result of higher prescriptions. It is manufactured with the right balance of oxygen permeability and water content to keep your eyes feeling comfortable and healthy.