SmartShield® Technology is a patented technology developed by Alcon, the global leader in innovative eye care.
SmartShield Technology creates an ultra-thin protective layer around the outer surface of the lens to minimize the number of exposed silicon atoms at the lens surface. This helps the lens stay wet and resist irritating deposits for consistent comfort from day 1 to day 30. Additionally, it helps the lens resist changing from everyday cosmetic product use.
Simply put, SmartShield Technology helps keep the lenses clean and comfortable throughout the wearing period.
What are contact lens deposits?
Whenever you blink, a thin layer of tears called a “tear film” spreads across the surface of your cornea (the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye). This film keeps the eye’s surface wet, facilitates the movement of the eyelid, and maintains a smooth surface on the cornea so that the eye can see correctly. It also helps to protect the eye from dirt and dust.
The tear film consists of various proteins, lipids, and mucins, among other substances. These components work together to keep the eyes healthy, but they deposit on contact lenses within the first few minutes of wear. They may even accumulate over time, depending on the composition of the lens material.
Contact lens deposits are thought to be detrimental to lens wear as they can potentially reduce lens surface wettability and adversely impact comfort, wearing time, and quality of vision. Plus, these deposits can increase the risk for contact lens-related complications, such as papillary conjunctivitis, punctate keratitis, and microbial keratitis.
Contact Lenses With SmartShield Technology
SmartShield Technology is unique to Alcon’s Air Optix® portfolio, which includes spherical, toric, multifocal, overnight, and colored contact lenses.
1. Air Optix AQUA
Air Optix AQUA contact lenses allow up to five times more oxygen to reach the eyes compared to other popular contact lens brands. Aside from SmartShield Technology, these contacts also feature TriComfort™ Technology — an innovative technology that helps the lenses to stay moist and comfortable throughout the day.
Air Optix AQUA contacts are monthly disposable lenses. They can be worn daily for up to 30 days or continuously for up to six nights and seven days.
Alcon discontinued Air Optix AQUA in September 2021. It has been replaced by Air Optix plus HydraGlyde®.
2. Air Optix AQUA Multifocal
Air Optix AQUA Multifocal contact lenses are for people with vision problems due to presbyopia — an age-related eye condition that makes nearby objects appear blurry. These contacts combine two unique technologies to deliver excellent vision at all distances and ensure all-day comfort: SmartShield Technology and TriComfort Technology. They also feature Precision-Profile® design, allowing a range of prescription strengths to blend across the lens.
Air Optix AQUA Multifocal contacts are monthly disposable lenses that can be worn daily for up to 30 days or continuously for up to six nights and seven days.
3. Air Optix Colors
Air Optix Colors contact lenses allow you to enhance your natural eye color. They come in 12 stunning colors: gray, sterling gray, amethyst, gemstone green, green, pure hazel, honey, brown, brilliant blue, blue, true sapphire, and turquoise. They’re also available in different prescription strengths for those who need vision correction.
Air Optix Colors contacts can be worn daily for up to 30 days as monthly disposable lenses. They’re also FDA-approved for up to six nights and seven days of continuous wear.
4. Air Optix for Astigmatism
Air Optix for Astigmatism contacts are toric lenses that correct astigmatism — an imperfection in the eye’s curvature that causes blurred vision. Aside from SmartShield Technology, these contacts also feature Precision Balance 8|4® Design. This unique design is engineered to work with the eyes’ blinking mechanism, and it provides stability throughout 30 days of wear to ensure consistent visual acuity for people with astigmatism.
Air Optix for Astigmatism can be worn daily for up to 30 days or continuously for up to six nights and seven days.
5. Air Optix Night & Day® AQUA
Air Optix Night & Day AQUA are the most doctor-recommended brand for people who sleep in their contacts. Made from the most breathable lens materials on the market, these lenses allow more oxygen permeation than any other soft contacts. They’re FDA-approved for up to 30 nights of continuous wear.
6. Air Optix plus HydraGlyde
Air Optix plus HydraGlyde contacts are highly breathable lenses designed for those with sensitive eyes. They’re exceptionally comfortable because of SmartShield Technology and HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix, which attracts and maintains surface moisture on the lens for up to 16 hours.
Air Optix plus HydraGlyde contacts are monthly disposable lenses that can be worn daily for up to 30 days before they need to be replaced. They’re also FDA-approved for up to six nights and seven days of continuous wear.
7. Air Optix plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism
Air Optix plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism contacts are toric lenses that provide comfortable, clear vision for people with astigmatism. SmartShield Technology and HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix allow these contacts to stay moist and comfortable all day, while Precision Balance 8|4 design keeps them from rotating or shifting out of place.
Air Optix plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism contacts are monthly disposable lenses indicated for daily wear. They can also be worn continuously for up to six nights and seven days.
8. Air Optix plus HydraGlyde Multifocal
Air Optix plus HydraGlyde Multifocal contact lenses allow people with presbyopia to see clearly at all distances, near through far. They feature a Precision-Profile design, which works with your eyes’ natural function to clearly see nearby and faraway objects.
Aside from SmartShield Technology, these monthly disposable contacts also feature HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix for long-lasting lens surface moisture and comfort.
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