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Air Optix Night & Day vs Air Optix Plus HydraGlyde: Which One's Right for You?

19th Jun 2025

Choosing between these two popular Air Optix contact lenses often comes down to whether you need genuine overnight wear or prioritise day-to-day comfort. Both are excellent monthly lenses, but they're designed for different lifestyles and needs.

Quick Comparison

Lens World Air Optix Night & Day vs Plus HydraGlyde

Understanding the Oxygen Difference

Both lenses use advanced silicone-hydrogel technology that delivers significantly more oxygen than traditional soft lenses. Night & Day's Dk/t of 175 represents the highest oxygen transmission available in soft contact lenses, making it suitable for extended overnight wear under professional supervision.

HydraGlyde's Dk/t of 138 is still excellent for daily wear and occasional overnight use. For most wearers, this level of oxygen transmission provides plenty of safety margin for healthy corneal function.

Comfort Technology Explained

The key difference lies in moisture management. Both lenses feature SmartShield technology that resists deposits and maintains surface smoothness throughout the monthly wear cycle.

HydraGlyde adds a moisture matrix that creates a hydrating layer on the lens surface. This technology helps maintain comfort in challenging environments like air-conditioned offices, dusty conditions, or during Australia's dry seasons. Many wearers notice less end-of-day dryness and grittiness.

Night & Day's lower water content (24% vs 33%) makes it less prone to dehydration in very dry conditions, though some wearers find they need rewetting drops more frequently during extended wear periods.

As one of our customers, Peter J. from Victoria puts it: "The next best thing to not needing contact lenses. These lenses are so comfortable I forget I'm wearing them, and, importantly for me, they allow the cornea to 'breathe'." 

Many long-term wearers echo this sentiment, with one customer noting after 47 years of contact lens wear that Night & Day offers exceptional clarity and comfort.

“Have been wearing contact lenses since 1969 (47 Years) and about 20 years ago I switched to Disposable lenses. I find the monthly ones the most economical.”

Extended Wear Considerations

Night & Day AQUA is one of the few soft lenses approved for continuous wear up to 30 nights. This makes it valuable for people with genuine overnight wear needs, such as FIFO workers, healthcare professionals on call, or frequent business travelers.

However, continuous wear isn't suitable for everyone. Your optometrist will need to assess your corneal health, tear film quality, and overall eye health before approving extended wear schedules. Regular monitoring appointments are essential.

HydraGlyde allows up to 6 nights of extended wear, which covers most situations where you might occasionally need to sleep in your lenses without committing to a continuous wear routine

Our customer Tanya L from Queensland. appreciates the flexibility of Night & Day: "I love the fact that these contacts can stay in day and night for up to a month at a time. Sometimes I need to take them out for a clean, but can pop them back in and we're good to go again." 

However, not everyone uses the full continuous wear capability, as one experienced wearer noted: "I've tried many types of lenses over the years and I have found Night & Day to be the most comfortable. I do not sleep in them but can if the need ever arises."

The availability of HydraGlyde in both toric (for astigmatism) and multifocal lenses makes it a versatile choice for wearers with more complex prescriptions who still want the benefits of advanced moisture technology.

Australian Climate Performance

Australia's diverse climate conditions affect lens performance differently:

Hot, dry conditions: Night & Day's lower water content performs well in consistently arid environments, while HydraGlyde's moisture technology helps in variable humidity.

Air-conditioned environments: HydraGlyde typically provides better comfort in artificially controlled environments common in offices and shopping centres.

Dusty or smoky conditions: Both lenses resist particle adhesion, but HydraGlyde's surface moisture often provides additional comfort during bushfire season or in dusty work environments.

For workers with demanding schedules, the comfort factor is crucial. As one customer shared: "Really comfortable and it keeps my eyes hydrated throughout the day and into the night. I work two jobs back to back from 9am till 12pm somedays so it's great to have peace of mind that I'm not overwearing my lenses.

Cost and Value Analysis

The $24 price difference per 6-pack translates to approximately $48 annually for someone buying 12 lenses per year. Both lenses qualify for private health insurance rebates under Category B coverage.

Consider the total cost of ownership, including care solutions and potential optometrist visits. 

Continuous wear lenses often require more frequent professional monitoring, which may offset some of the convenience benefits. Always check the actual prices on the website before purchasing.

Care and Maintenance

Proper lens care is crucial for both options. HydraGlyde performs best with care solutions containing compatible moisture technology, such as AOSEPT HydraGlyde or OPTI-FREE PureMoist, which help maintain the surface hydration properties.

Night & Day works well with most quality multipurpose solutions. If you have oily tears, weekly protein removal may help maintain lens clarity and comfort.

Regardless of lens choice, always follow proper hygiene protocols, replace lens cases regularly, and never extend wear beyond recommended schedules without professional approval.

Making Your Decision

Most contact lens wearers will find that HydraGlyde provides better day-to-day comfort and represents excellent value for money. The moisture technology makes a noticeable difference in typical Australian conditions, and the occasional extended wear capability covers most situations where overnight wear might be needed.

Night & Day AQUA is the better choice if you have genuine, continuous wear needs and can commit to the professional monitoring required for safe extended wear. The superior oxygen transmission provides peace of mind for overnight wear, but this benefit is only relevant if you actually plan to sleep in your lenses regularly.

Bottom line

Your optometrist remains the best resource for personalised lens selection. They can assess your specific eye health, tear film quality, and lifestyle needs to recommend the most appropriate lens and wearing schedule. Some eye conditions may preclude extended wear altogether, regardless of lens choice. Both lenses offer excellent performance when properly fitted and cared for.

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