Biofinity vs Air Optix: Which Monthly Contact Lens Is Right for You?

If your optometrist has prescribed a monthly contact lens and mentioned both Biofinity and Air Optix as suitable options, you're not alone in wondering which to choose. They're two of the most widely prescribed monthly lenses in Australia, made by two of the world's leading contact lens manufacturers — CooperVision (Biofinity) and Alcon (Air Optix). Both use silicone hydrogel materials, both are designed for full-time wear, and both have strong track records for comfort and performance.

So what actually separates them? This guide breaks down the key differences to help you make an informed decision — or at least ask the right questions at your next optometrist appointment.

The Short Answer

Both lenses are excellent. If you've been prescribed either one by a qualified optometrist, both are clinically appropriate for your prescription and eye health. The differences come down to technology emphasis, deposit resistance, moisture approach, and range coverage — none of which will matter equally to every wearer. Read on for the detail that helps you decide.

Technology at a Glance

Biofinity: Aquaform Technology

Biofinity is built on CooperVision's Aquaform Technology — a silicone hydrogel material engineered to be naturally water-loving without surface coatings or wetting agents. The moisture retention is built into the lens material itself, which means it doesn't degrade with handling or through the day the way surface-treated lenses can. Biofinity has a water content of 48% and a Dk/t (oxygen permeability) of 160.

The result is a lens that maintains consistent comfort from the first day of a new monthly cycle through to the last — a meaningful advantage for full-time wearers who notice other monthly lenses becoming less comfortable in their final week.

Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde: SmartShield + HydraGlyde

Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde (the current flagship monthly from Alcon) takes a two-layer approach. SmartShield Technology creates a thin, durable surface layer that actively repels lipid deposits — the primary cause of the blurring and discomfort that builds up on reusable lenses over time. HydraGlyde Moisture Matrix adds a long-lasting moisture agent to the lens surface for sustained hydration.

Air Optix Night & Day Aqua, the extended wear variant, has a Dk/t of 175 — one of the highest oxygen permeabilities of any contact lens available — though the standard Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde and Biofinity have comparable oxygen transmission for daily wear purposes.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Comfort Across the Full Month

Both lenses perform well across a full month of wear, but their approaches differ. Biofinity's Aquaform Technology provides consistent, material-based comfort that doesn't rely on surface treatments. Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde addresses end-of-day comfort through its HydraGlyde moisture layer and deposit resistance through SmartShield.

For wearers whose primary concern is comfort stability across the full month — particularly in the final days — Biofinity's material approach has a strong reputation. For wearers whose main issue is deposit build-up causing blurred vision through the day, Air Optix's SmartShield layer directly targets that problem.

Deposit Resistance

Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde has an advantage here. SmartShield Technology is specifically designed to resist lipid and protein deposits, which is Air Optix's primary clinical differentiator. Wearers who have experienced deposit-related issues with other monthly lenses — greasy or blurry vision that clears when the lens is cleaned but returns through the day — may find Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde addresses this more directly than Biofinity.

Oxygen Permeability

Both lenses offer high oxygen permeability appropriate for daily wear, with comparable Dk/t values in their standard monthly formats. Air Optix Night & Day has a higher Dk/t for continuous wear, but for standard daily wear use, this is not a meaningful differentiator between the two brands.

Range Coverage

Both brands cover the full prescription spectrum — spherical, toric, and multifocal — but with different products:

Biofinity range: Biofinity (spherical), Biofinity Toric, Biofinity Toric XR (extended range astigmatism), Biofinity Multifocal Distance, Biofinity Multifocal Near.

Air Optix range: Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde (spherical), Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde for Astigmatism, Air Optix Aqua Multifocal, Air Optix Night & Day Aqua (continuous wear), Air Optix Colors (colour).

The key differentiators in range terms: Biofinity offers Toric XR for complex astigmatism prescriptions outside standard parameters — if you have a high cylinder prescription, this may be a significant advantage. Air Optix adds Night & Day for continuous wear and Colors for cosmetic use.

Fitting and Availability

Both lenses are widely available through Australian optometrists and are stocked at BuyContactsOnline.com.au with fast delivery nationwide. Biofinity Toric XR is custom manufactured to order and has a lead time of up to four weeks — worth factoring in if this is your lens.

Which Lens Should You Choose?

There is no universally correct answer — the right lens depends on your individual eyes, prescription, and wearing priorities. As a guide:

Consider Biofinity if:

• You wear lenses all day, every day and prioritise comfort consistency across the full month
• You have a complex astigmatism prescription that requires Toric XR parameters
• You prefer a moisture approach built into the lens material rather than surface treatments
• Your optometrist has a strong preference for Biofinity based on your lens history

Consider Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde if:

• You have experienced deposit-related blurring or discomfort with other monthly lenses
• You want the option of occasional extended wear (Acuvue Oasys is the other main option for this; Air Optix Night & Day covers continuous wear)
• Your prescription includes colour contact lenses (Air Optix Colors is the only silicone hydrogel monthly colour lens in this comparison)
• Your optometrist has recommended Air Optix specifically for your tear film or deposit history

The most reliable approach is to trial both through your optometrist before committing to a 12-month supply. Our partner optometrist, Peter Merrett, is available during business hours to discuss which lens may be more appropriate for your eyes and prescription — call us on 03 9510 2045 or email contacts@buycontactsonline.com.au.

Buying Biofinity and Air Optix Online in Australia

BuyContactsOnline.com.au stocks both the complete Biofinity range and the complete Air Optix range at competitive prices, sourced directly from authorised Australian distributors. Every lens is 100% genuine and TGA-compliant — never grey market or parallel import stock.

Both brands qualify for free express post on orders of four or more boxes, with same-day dispatch for weekday orders placed before 10am and next business day delivery to most major Australian cities. Melbourne customers can collect in-store at 12a Chapel Street, Windsor.

Monthly lens wearers can set up a recurring order to receive automatic deliveries at their preferred interval, with a 14-day reminder before each dispatch and a 7-day window to adjust or pause. For Biofinity Toric XR wearers, a recurring order is especially important given the custom manufacturing lead time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Biofinity better than Air Optix?

Neither lens is universally better — both are among the most prescribed monthly contact lenses in Australia for good reason. Biofinity's advantage is material-based comfort consistency; Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde's advantage is active deposit resistance. Your optometrist is best placed to advise which suits your individual eyes, tear film, and wearing habits.

Can I switch between Biofinity and Air Optix?

Switching between monthly lenses should be done in consultation with your optometrist, who can assess the fit and confirm your prescription parameters are compatible with the new lens. Don't assume that because both are monthly silicone hydrogel lenses, the fit will be identical — base curve and diameter differ between brands.

Do both lenses require the same cleaning solutions?

Both Biofinity and Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde can be used with most multipurpose contact lens solutions. However, always check with your optometrist that your chosen solution is compatible with your specific lens, and follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Some hydrogen peroxide systems may not be appropriate for all lens types.

Are both lenses available in toric and multifocal options?

Yes. Both brands offer toric lenses for astigmatism correction and multifocal lenses for presbyopia. Biofinity additionally offers Toric XR for complex astigmatism prescriptions outside standard parameters.