Editor’s Note: All product prices mentioned in this article were from our research conducted in July 2023.
ACUVUE® OASYS with HYDRACLEAR® PLUS Technology is a bi-weekly contact lens that provides long-lasting comfort, even in challenging environments.
Unfortunately, this brand can cost you a lot of money if you regularly wear contact lenses. The good news is that plenty of bi-weekly contact lens brands offer the same benefits as ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology, and we’ve rounded them up in this post for your convenience.
What Are Bi-weekly Contact Lenses?
ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology is a bi-weekly contact lens designed for daily wear and up to seven days of extended wear. With proper care and handling, a pair of these lenses can last up to 14 days before needing replacement.
As a bi-weekly contact lens, ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology strikes a balance between lower maintenance and comfort. It requires less maintenance than monthly contact lenses but offers a similar level of comfort as single-use contact lenses.
Bi-weekly contacts come in many lens types and can correct the following refractive errors:
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Farsightedness (hyperopia)
- Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness)
- Astigmatism
Other advantages of bi-weekly contact lenses include:
- Flexible wearing schedule – Bi-weekly contact lenses can be removed, cleaned, and used again. This contrasts to daily disposable contact lenses, which must be disposed of after each use.
- Cheaper than single-use contact lenses – With bi-weekly contacts, you only need two pairs of contacts for the entire month, whereas you’d need to buy 30 pairs of contacts if you wear dailies.
- More hygienic than monthly contact lenses – Contact lenses can accumulate irritating surface deposits, even with regular cleaning. This is a major issue with monthly contact lenses, less so with bi-weekly contact lenses.
- More durable than single-use contact lenses – Bi-weekly contacts have the benefit of being more durable than daily contacts, which are typically made of thinner materials. The durability of bi-weekly contacts makes them easy to handle.
- Environmentally friendly – If you regularly wear contact lenses, investing in bi-weekly contacts is an eco-friendly choice because you’ll dispose of them only twice a month.
Who Can Wear Bi-Weekly Contact Lenses?
Good candidates for bi-weekly contact lenses are the following:
- Contact lens wearers who value hygiene and convenience equally,
- Contact lens wearers for whom budget is a concern,
- Contact lens wearers who prefer an environmentally friendly option, and
- Some contact lens wearers with sensitive eyes.
Best Alternatives to ACUVUE OASYS
To help you decide which brand is right for you, we reviewed several bi-weekly contact lenses currently available on Lens.com. Here are our top picks for the best alternatives to ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology:
1. Bausch + Lomb 2 Week
Bausch + Lomb 2 Week is designed with your comfort in mind. Featuring a high water content, Bausch + Lomb 2 Week keeps eyes bright and healthy throughout the wearing period. This lens is created with UniFit™ Technology to ensure a precise fit.
Unlike ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology, Bausch + Lomb 2 Week is approved for daily wear only, meaning it needs to be removed and cleaned every night. But that’s hardly an issue when you consider that a 6-pack box of this lens can cost as low as $18!
- Manufacturer: Bausch + Lomb
- Material: Hydrogel
- Water Content: 59%
- Special Features: UniFit Technology
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (3-month supply)
2. Biomedics® 55 Premier Asphere
From the eye care experts at CooperVision, Biomedics 55 Premier Asphere delivers clearer vision than spherical lenses by precisely focusing light traveling through the lens and the eye.
On top of that, Biomedics 55 Premier Asphere features a thin, patented edge design and high water content for superior comfort throughout the wearing period.
A reasonably cheaper brand than ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology, Biomedics 55 Premier Asphere can cost as low as $25 per box of 6 lenses.
- Manufacturer: CooperVision
- Material: Hydrogel
- Water Content: 55%
- Special Features: Aspheric lens design, UV protection
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (3-month supply)
3. ACUVUE® 2
Made with a time-tested lens material, ACUVUE 2 by Johnson & Johnson is a bi-weekly contact lens perfect for new or first-time wearers. This lens features INFINITY EDGE™ Design, which minimizes lens/lid interaction for enhanced comfort. ACUVUE 2 is made comfortable by its high water content. It also offers protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays.
A 6-pack box of ACUVUE 2 can cost anywhere from $28-$40, depending on the contact lens retailer.
- Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson
- Material: Hydrogel
- Water Content: 58%
- Special Features: INFINITY EDGE Design
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (3-month supply)
4. SofLens® 38
SofLens 38 is a high-performance bi-weekly lens. Like ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology, it is FDA-approved for daily wear and up to seven days of extended wear, making it a solid option for lens wearers who need the flexibility to see clearly at any time.
SofLens 38 features an ultra-thin center, which allows optimal levels of oxygen to reach the eye. Plus, it features a visibility tint and inversion indicator, so you can insert it easily every time.
SofLens38 costs $25-$32 per box of 6 lenses.
- Manufacturer: Bausch + Lomb
- Material: Hydrogel
- Water Content: 38%
- Special Features: Ultra-thin design, time-tested lens material
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (3-month supply)
5. Avaira Vitality™
Created with a third-generation silicone hydrogel material, Avaira Vitality supports a healthy wearing experience by allowing optimal levels of oxygen to reach the eye.
The Aberration Neutralizing System™ of Avaira Vitality enhances vision quality by minimizing natural imperfections commonly found in eyes. At the same time, the advanced material naturally attracts water molecules for continuous moisture throughout the day. Avaira Vitality helps keep eyes safe with Class 1 UV protection. It is also visibly tinted for easy handling.
You can purchase a 6-pack box of Avaira Vitality for $23-$40.
- Manufacturer: CooperVision
- Material: Silicone Hydrogel
- Water Content: 55%
- Special Features: Aberration Neutralizing System
- Lenses Per Box: 6 (3-month supply)
Wrapping Up
Thanks to its comfort-enhancing features, ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology helps keep eyes feeling moist all day, even in challenging environments. But the cost of ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology can be a real burden to your wallet if you wear contact lenses regularly.
Luckily, plenty of cheaper bi-weekly contact lens brands offer the same benefits as ACUVUE OASYS with HYDRACLEAR PLUS Technology. Remember that only a licensed eye specialist can determine the right contact lens for you, but it helps to keep yourself informed of your options.
If cost is a concern, don’t be afraid to mention any of the brands mentioned above when discussing options with your eye doctor.
Lens.com carries all the bi-weekly contact lens brands mentioned in this article. Take advantage of our discount prices when shopping Lens.com!
