Air Optix Contact Lenses: The Complete Guide for Australian Wearers

Made by Alcon — one of the world's largest eye care companies — Air Optix is a family of monthly contact lenses trusted by millions of wearers globally and widely prescribed by Australian optometrists. The brand is built on a core promise: high oxygen permeability, all-day moisture, and consistent comfort across a full month of wear.

What many wearers don't realise is that Air Optix is not a single lens. It's a range of monthly contact lenses covering spherical, toric, multifocal, extended wear, and even colour options — each designed for a specific type of wearer and vision correction need. Understanding the differences between them helps you make a more informed decision about which lens is right for your eyes and lifestyle.

At BuyContactsOnline.com.au, we stock the complete Air Optix range at competitive prices, with same-day dispatch for orders placed before 10am Monday to Friday and free express post on orders of four or more boxes.

What Makes Air Optix Different?

Every lens in the Air Optix range is made from a silicone hydrogel material that allows significantly more oxygen to pass through to the cornea compared to traditional hydrogel lenses — up to five times more, according to Alcon. High oxygen permeability is important for eye health: when your cornea receives adequate oxygen throughout the day, your eyes are less likely to become red, irritated, or uncomfortable during extended wearing hours.

The flagship prescription lens in the range — Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde — combines this breathable silicone hydrogel platform with two distinct technologies working together. SmartShield Technology creates a thin protective layer on the lens surface that resists the build-up of lipid deposits (the primary cause of lens discomfort in the final days of a monthly wear cycle). HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix keeps the lens surface continuously hydrated, maintaining comfortable wear across 16+ hours of daily use.

The result is a monthly lens that tends to feel as comfortable in the fourth week of wear as it did in the first — a meaningful advantage for full-time wearers who have previously struggled with monthly lenses that deteriorate in comfort toward the end of their cycle.

The Air Optix Range Explained

Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde

Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde is the core spherical lens in the range, designed for wearers with standard myopia (short-sightedness) or hyperopia (long-sightedness). It is the lens most optometrists will reach for first when prescribing within the Air Optix family for everyday spherical correction.

The combination of SmartShield Technology and HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix gives it a strong reputation for end-of-day comfort — particularly among wearers who work long hours, spend significant time in front of screens, or wear lenses in air-conditioned environments where lens dryness is a common complaint.

Available in a 3-pack and 6-pack, with the 6-pack offering better value for wearers who use both eyes and want a longer supply on hand.

Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism

Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism brings the same HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix and SmartShield Technology of the standard lens to a toric design for wearers whose cornea has an irregular curvature causing blurred or distorted vision. Toric lenses must sit stably on the eye in the correct orientation to correct astigmatism effectively — Air Optix achieves this through a precision lens geometry that resists rotation during blinking and eye movement.

For astigmatism wearers who have previously found monthly toric lenses prone to drying out or shifting in the final week of wear, the HydraGlyde platform often represents a meaningful improvement in sustained comfort. Available in a 3-pack.

Air Optix Night & Day Aqua

Air Optix Night & Day Aqua is the standout lens in the Air Optix family — and one of the most technically distinctive monthly contact lenses available anywhere. It is specifically designed and approved for extended continuous wear of up to 30 nights and 31 days, meaning it can be worn day and night without removal, when prescribed and monitored by a registered optometrist.

This capability is made possible by an exceptionally high oxygen transmissibility — the lens allows more oxygen to reach the cornea than virtually any other soft contact lens on the market. TriComfort Technology combines this breathability with moisture retention and deposit resistance to support comfortable wear over continuous extended periods.

It is important to understand that extended overnight wear is not suitable for every wearer and should only be undertaken with the specific guidance and ongoing monitoring of your optometrist. If you are not prescribed for continuous wear, Air Optix Night & Day Aqua can also be worn as a standard daily wear monthly lens removed each night — though it would not offer a significant advantage over Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde in that case. The lens is available in a 3-pack.

Air Optix Aqua Multifocal

Air Optix Aqua Multifocal is designed for wearers managing presbyopia — the gradual loss of near vision that typically begins in the mid-40s and makes reading and close-up tasks increasingly difficult without correction. Rather than switching between glasses for different distances, multifocal contact lenses enable clear vision across near, intermediate, and far ranges simultaneously.

Air Optix Aqua Multifocal uses a Precision Profile Design that provides a smooth, natural transition between focal distances, available in low, medium, and high addition powers to match the degree of near vision correction needed. Built on the Air Optix silicone hydrogel platform, it delivers the same breathability and comfortable monthly wear as the rest of the range. Available in a 3-pack.

Air Optix Colors

Air Optix Colors is a monthly colour contact lens available in both plano (non-corrective) and prescription versions, designed to enhance or change your natural eye colour. Available in a range of shades from subtle naturals to more vivid options. For a detailed guide to choosing the right Air Optix Colors shade for your eye colour, read our dedicated Air Optix Colors guide.

Which Air Optix Lens Is Right for You?

Standard myopia or hyperopia — Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde is the natural starting point. It suits the majority of everyday wearers well, particularly those who wear lenses full-time and want reliable all-day comfort from a proven monthly lens.

Astigmatism — Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism covers most astigmatism prescriptions with a stable, comfortable toric design and the same HydraGlyde moisture technology as the spherical lens.

Presbyopia — Air Optix Aqua Multifocal suits wearers managing presbyopia who want a monthly lens that delivers clear vision across multiple distances without the need for reading glasses.

Extended or overnight wear — Air Optix Night & Day Aqua is the only lens in the range approved for continuous extended wear. If your optometrist has indicated that extended wear may suit your eyes and lifestyle, this is the lens to discuss with them. If you simply want a standard monthly spherical lens with excellent breathability for long daily wearing hours, Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde is the more practical choice.

Colour enhancement — Air Optix Colors in either plano or prescription is available for wearers who want to naturally enhance or change their eye colour in a comfortable monthly lens.

Not sure which Air Optix lens matches your prescription and wearing habits? Our partner optometrist Peter Merrett has more than 25 years of experience and is available during business hours to help. Call us on 03 9510 2045 or email contacts@buycontactsonline.com.au.

A Note on Air Optix Night & Day Aqua and Extended Wear

Because Air Optix Night & Day Aqua is a unique product that often generates questions, it is worth addressing extended wear in more detail.

Extended contact lens wear — wearing lenses while sleeping — carries a meaningfully higher risk of serious eye infections compared to daily wear, regardless of lens type. This risk exists even with Night & Day Aqua's exceptional oxygen permeability, which reduces but does not eliminate the physiological challenges of overnight lens wear.

For this reason, extended wear should only be considered after a thorough consultation with your optometrist, who will assess your corneal health, tear film, lifestyle, and prescription before determining whether you are a suitable candidate. Regular follow-up appointments are also essential for extended wear wearers.

If you are currently wearing Air Optix Night & Day Aqua for extended wear without recent optometrist review, we would encourage you to book a check-up — your optometrist can assess how your eyes are responding and confirm whether extended wear remains appropriate for you.

Why Buy Air Optix from BuyContactsOnline.com.au?

All Air Optix lenses we stock are 100% genuine, sourced directly from authorised Australian distributors and fully compliant with TGA requirements for contact lenses as medical devices. You will never receive grey market or parallel import stock from us.

Competitive pricing across the full Air Optix range. Our online model means lower overheads than traditional optical stores, and we pass those savings directly to you — without any compromise on product authenticity or quality.

Same-day dispatch for weekday orders before 10am. Orders placed before 10am Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day via StarTrack Courier Service, with next business day delivery to most major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Canberra when lenses are in stock.

Free express post on four or more boxes. Most contact lens orders comfortably meet this threshold, so the majority of customers receive fast tracked delivery at no extra cost.

Professional optometrist support, at no charge. Our partner optometrist Peter Merrett is available during business hours to answer questions about Air Optix lenses, extended wear suitability, your prescription, or any aspect of your eye health.

Easy health fund claiming. We are registered with all major Australian private health insurance funds (Provider Number 2413719K). Your order confirmation includes item numbers and a PDF invoice for easy claiming. HICAPS on-the-spot claiming is available at our Windsor, Melbourne store.

Recurring orders so you never run out. Our recurring order service lets you schedule automatic deliveries monthly, every three months, or every six months — with a 14-day reminder email before each dispatch and full flexibility to adjust, pause, or cancel at any time.

Browse the complete Air Optix contact lens range at BuyContactsOnline.com.au, or explore all monthly contact lenses to compare Air Optix with other leading monthly brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Air Optix contact lenses monthly or daily?

All prescription Air Optix lenses are monthly replacement lenses, worn for up to 30 days and then replaced. Air Optix Night & Day Aqua is additionally approved for continuous extended wear of up to 30 nights and 31 days when prescribed by an optometrist, but can also be used as a standard daily wear monthly lens.

Is Air Optix good for dry eyes?

Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde is designed with HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix to maintain surface hydration across 16+ hours of daily wear, making it a strong choice for wearers who experience mild to moderate dryness with other monthly lenses. Wearers with clinically diagnosed dry eye disease should consult their optometrist before selecting a lens, as dry eye is a spectrum condition and lens suitability varies between individuals.

Can I sleep in Air Optix contact lenses?

Only Air Optix Night & Day Aqua is approved for continuous overnight wear, and only when specifically prescribed for extended wear by a registered optometrist. Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde is a daily wear lens and should be removed before sleeping. Sleeping in daily wear lenses significantly increases the risk of eye infections and other complications.

Do I need a prescription to order Air Optix lenses?

Yes. Contact lenses are classified as medical devices in Australia and can only be supplied with a valid prescription from a registered optometrist or ophthalmologist. You will need to enter your current prescription details when placing your order. If anything requires verification, our partner optometrist may contact you directly before dispatch.

Can I claim Air Optix contact lenses on my health insurance?

Yes, in most cases. Contact lenses are claimable under the optical extras component of most Australian private health insurance policies. We are registered with all major Australian health funds (Provider Number 2413719K) and provide all the information you need to make a claim with every order. Visit our health fund rebates page for full details.

How do I care for Air Optix monthly lenses?

Air Optix monthly lenses require daily cleaning, rinsing, and storage in fresh multipurpose contact lens solution each night. You should never reuse solution, rinse lenses or cases with tap water, or sleep in daily wear lenses. For a full step-by-step Air Optix care routine, read our dedicated Air Optix lens care guide.