Vistakon (Johnson & Johnson) recently introduced their new daily disposable lens, which is the first and currently the only silicone hydrogel soft lens on the market. The name of the lens is 1-Day ACUVUE® TruEye™.
Silicone hydrogel soft contact lenses offer approximately 500% more oxygen transmission than traditional soft lens materials and are the fastest growing segment of contact lenses materials. The more silicone there is in the soft lens material, the higher the oxygen transmission of the lens. Oxygen transmission is extremely important to keep the eye healthy and feeling comfortable.
The same silicone material that provides the terrific benefit of oxygen transmission has a negative effect as well. Silicone
1-Day ACUVUE® TruEye™is manufactured with a third generation technology called Hydraclear 1 which embeds a high volume of wetting agent into the lens which results in a very wettable lens surface that feels extremely comfortable. The Hydraclear 1 treatment also provides an exceptionally smooth surface (less friction) that adds to the terrific comfort of the 1-Day Acuvue TruEye lens.
Vistakon chose to reduce the oxygen transmission compared to their Acuvue Oasys. This decision improves the initial comfort of the lens due to the lens being slightly less stiff, but theoretically reduces the eye health benefits offered by the Acuvue Oasys’ higher oxygen transmission. However, it is possible that with the softer lens material of the TruEye that there may be a decreased amount of giant papillary conjunctivitis. Since one day disposable lenses are often not worn as long during the day as other type contacts and are not meant to be used while sleeping these are probably not significant clinical issues.
1-Day Acuvue TruEye lenses are easy to handle and insert on the eye. They feature a very light blue tint to enable the lens to be visible in the lens case and they have an engraved marking (1-2-3) on the edge of the lens to eliminate whether it is inside out.
The lenses block 99% of the UVB rays and 96% of UVA rays. However, this is not adequate protection because the contacts do not cover the entire eye so sunglasses are still needed to prevent ocular problems from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
The lenses are only available in spherical powers from +6.00 to -12.00 so patients needing astigmatic (toric) lenses are not candidates to use these lenses.
1-Day ACUVUE® TruEye™ brand soft lenses definitely receive our highest recommendation. If you want contact lenses that provide the ultimate in convenience and comfort and exceptional safety and eye health you will love 1-Day Acuvue TruEye lenses!
The author has no financial interest in Vistakon, Johnson & Johnson or this brand of lenses.