Silicone Hydrogel: What's the Difference?

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are named after the material used to make them. Advances in technology and materials have also advanced contact lenses. But how exactly do different silicone hydrogels enhance contact lenses? Let's take a look at what silicone hydrogels are and how they can make a difference.

What are silicone hydrogel contact lenses? 

Soft contact lenses were introduced in the 1960s and 1970s with the development of wettable polymers, and are made up of molecules linked together (think trains with many cars). These materials were also called “hydrophilic gels” or “hydrogels”. Silicone hydrogels are the most recently developed material and are aimed at increasing oxygen transmission rate (increased comfort, longer wear and benefit eye health), wettability (improved comfort), and clinical performance of lenses. Silicone has a high oxygen permeability, allowing more oxygen to pass through the lens than water, so oxygen permeability is no longer limited to how much water is in the lens.

The initial adaptation period takes 1-2 days, but the silicone polymer contains a large amount of wetting factor. It is good for improving the feeling of dryness and increases the wearing time due to the high oxygen delivery amount. It is a next-generation contact lens material that compensates for the shortcomings of existing products (general HEMA, RGP, etc.).

Types of Silicone Hydrogels 

There are several generations and varieties of silicone hydrogels used to make contact lenses today. Technically, it comes under names such as galyfilcon, senofilcon, comfilcon, and enfilcon. All lenses, regardless of material, are FDA-approved or FDA-approved for specific wear and replacement conditions. Silicone hydrogels generally improve comfort and allow for longer wear, so check with a professional to make sure the lenses are right for you.

Benefits of Silicone Hydrogel Lenses

The main benefit of silicone hydrogel lenses is that they satisfy both oxygen permeability and water content. This allows silicone hydrogel lenses to have many advantages: 

• Extended-Wear
• Daily-Wear (for regular replacement) 
• Improved comfort and performance

Choosing a Silicone Hydrogel 

Different types of silicone hydrogel materials are used in the manufacture of lenses to suit different correction effects and wearing requirements. Therefore, knowing the benefits of silicone hydrogel will help you when choosing a lens, so you should look at the FDA-approved wear and replacement cycle for each lens and consult with an expert to select the right contact lens for you.

Silicone Hydrogel's goodthing 

• Wetting property
  Improve lens dryness 
• Flexible material
  Due to flexible material, more comfortable. 
• High transfer oxygen rate
  Improve low oxygen,dryness,hyperemia with enough oxygen. 
• Special design
  Continued comfortableness while blinking by reducing friction of coniunctiva. 
• Sunblock function
  By Blocking UV rays A,B prevent diseases like cataract